International court hears arguments regarding Israel occupying West Bank and Gaza

The International Court of Justice on Monday began listening to oral arguments about the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank by Israel. 

The hearing, at The Hague, Netherlands, is expected to last for six days and will have representatives from 52 different countries, according to the Washington Examiner.

This case was requested by the United Nations General Assembly two years ago. 

Israel's representatives will not be speaking Monday, but sent a five-page letter outlining its arguments. 

Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki during arguments accused Israel of subjecting Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank to "colonization of their territory and racist violence that enables it.”

Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip completely in 2005 and didn't re-enter until Hamas, which had controlled Gaza since 2007, brutally attacked Israel on October 7 of last year, killing about 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping another 240 people. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he doesn't believe this hearing is legitimate and his country won't recognize it as such. 

“The discussion at The Hague is part of the Palestinian attempt to dictate the results of the political agreement without negotiations,” he said in a statement, according to the Examiner.