Noam Shalit to appear before world court

JERUSALEM, July 1 (UPI) -- Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit's father plans to appear before The International Court of Justice in The Hague or Brussels, a published report said.

Noam Shalit was invited by the judges to appear before the court and talk of the family's personal ordeal since Shalit's abduction three years ago, Maariv reported Wednesday.

The court is currently debating a claim accusing Israel of committing war crimes during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza earlier this year.

Shalit is expected to tell the court of the conditions he fears his son is being held in. Since the abduction, Hamas has prevented Red Cross officials from visiting him, the paper said.

It is unclear whether Shalit's appearance will take place at The Hague or in Brussels since hearings are being held in both countries, the report said. The court accepted a request filed by Noam Shalit to testify, the paper said.

In June 2006, Shalit was on operational duty near the Gaza Strip when he was abducted and taken to Gaza.