The political leader of Hamas praised South Africa for initiating a lawsuit over genocide against Israel at UN’s dependant ICJ court.
The leader of Hamas’ political wing, Ismail Haniyeh expressed his gratitude to South Africa for initiating a legal action against Israel at the UN’s highest court.
South Africa claims that Israel’s conduct and negligence in the Gaza Strip amount to genocide in a 84-page long document.
Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh praised the significant lawsuit.
“I commend all the supportive stances and especially the state of South Africa, which lodged a case with the International Court of Justice against the occupying state for its atrocities against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, and we value the political and legal significance of this case.”
Israel has dismissed the allegations.
South Africa requested the court based in The Hague to issue a provisional order for Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Gaza. A hearing on that request is expected in the next days or weeks. The case, if it proceeds, will take years, but a provisional order could be issued within weeks.
The armed wing of the Hamas carried out the most lethal attack in Israel on October 7. About 1,200 people mostly civilians were killed, and hundreds kidnapped.
It triggered the latest war in the long-lasting Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“This aggression will end under the strikes of the resistance and the perseverance of our people; the occupation has no option but to comply with the will of our people. I would like to mention here that, in view of the proposals and offers that reached the leadership of the movement through the brothers in Egypt and Qatar, and after examining these ideas positively, the movement has conveyed its position and vision to Qatar and Egypt, which is based on a complete stop of aggression against our people, providing assistance to them, and addressing their legitimate and fair demands.”
The Israeli military offensive has claimed over 20,000 lives in Gaza and aggravated a humanitarian crisis.
South Africa has denounced “all breaches of international law by all parties, including the direct targeting of Israeli civilians and other nationals and hostage-taking by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.”
South Africa and Israel are both members of the United Nations and are parties to the Genocide Convention.
Once the war in Gaza ends, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Tuesday he was ‘willing to consider’ a single Palestinian administration to govern Gaza, which is controlled by the militant group, and the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian groups have been split on a common strategy for years.
The U.S. “rejected” Tuesday recent remarks made by two Israeli ministers who suggested that Palestinians should be relocated out of Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Monday (Jan. 01st): “We must pursue a solution to encourage the emigration of Gaza’s residents.”
Israel completed the withdrawal of its troops and settlers in 2005, ending a presence inside Gaza that began in 1967.
In mid-October, Egypt once again declined to accept what it calls the transfer of Israel’s responsibility as an occupying power, including to “ensure the safety of civilians” living under its occupation.
Israel’s army said Tuesday (Jan.02) several thousand troops would be pulled out of Gaza in the next weeks, though it has not said publicly whether the withdrawal reflects a new phase of the war.
The move is consistent with the plans that Israeli leaders have outlined for a low-intensity campaign, expected to last for most of the year, that concentrates on remaining Hamas strongholds.
