Hamas criticizes US opposition to South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at world court

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - The Palestinian Hamas group on Wednesday described the US position on South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as showing "contempt for international law and (being) an American attempt to disrupt it."

In a statement, the Hamas group said the comments by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken regarding the lawsuit filed by South Africa in the ICJ against Israel to look into the crimes of genocide in the Gaza Strip "is a disregard for international law, and an American attempt to obstruct the tools of international justice from carrying out their role."

The Hamas group called on the US "to stop its policies," which said it prolongs the aggression and genocide in Gaza.

The US said Tuesday that a "genocide" case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is "meritless" and "galling."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the submission distracts the world from efforts for peace and security.

South Africa filed the lawsuit on Dec. 29, claiming that Israel violated the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the crime of genocide with its actions in Gaza since Oct. 7, requesting an injunction.

Türkiye, Bolivia, Jordan and Malaysia, among others, have already signaled support for the case.

Israel has pounded Gaza since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 23,210 Palestinians and injuring 59,167 others, according to local health authorities.

Israel unleashed its military might on Gaza after Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis in the Oct. 7 attack.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar