Amnesty International, in a statement released on Monday, underscored the imperative of ending the 'Israeli' occupation to curb the escalation of apartheid and human rights abuses.

"Israel must end its brutal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which it has maintained since 1967, said Amnesty International, as public hearings begin at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to examine the legal consequences of Israel’s prolonged occupation," the statement read.

This declaration comes as public hearings commence at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to assess the legal ramifications of the "Israeli" prolonged occupation.

The statement highlights that these hearings, scheduled from February 19 to 26 in The Hague, follow a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2022. The resolution seeks an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding the legality of Israeli Occupation’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and their implications for other states and the UN. More than 50 states, along with the African Union, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, are expected to participate.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, emphasized that "Israel's occupation of Palestine is the longest and one of the most deadly military occupations globally."

"For decades, it has been marked by extensive and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians. The occupation has also facilitated and entrenched Israel's apartheid system imposed on Palestinians," she added. 

Callamard further asserted that "Over the years, Israel’s military occupation has evolved into a perpetual occupation in flagrant violation of international law." She pointed out the ongoing war in the occupied Gaza Strip, where the ICJ has warned of a real and imminent risk of genocide.

Callamard stressed, "The world must recognize that ending Israel’s illegal occupation is a prerequisite to stopping the recurrent human rights violations in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)."