Hamas responds to 18 countries’ appeal for captive release
The group’s statement comes a day after the countries released a letter urging it to accept the terms of a deal that would see a pause in fighting in return for the release of captives.
In response, Hamas said it regretted that the letter did not address basic issues facing people in Gaza. It added that the letter failed to stress the necessity of a permanent ceasefire in the enclave and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Hamas said it remained open to any proposals that took into account the rights of Palestinians. The statement further called for the safe return of internally displaced people in Gaza and aid for reconstruction, as well as a pathway towards self-determination.
The countries that signed the letter to Hamas all have citizens believed to be still held captive in Gaza. Signatories included Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, the UK and the US.
Israeli PM says ICC decisions will not affect actions
Benjamin Netanyahu says any rulings issued by the International Criminal Court will not affect Israel’s actions but would “set a dangerous precedent”.
“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to undermine its basic right to defend itself,” the prime minister said in a statement shared online.
“While decisions made by the court in The Hague will not affect Israel’s actions, they will set a dangerous precedent that threatens soldiers and public figures.”
Last month, the Law for Palestine organisation made the first in a series of submissions to the ICC, accusing Israeli leaders of committing the crime of genocide committed against Palestinians.
“The 200-page document, drafted by 30 lawyers and legal researchers from across the world and reviewed by more than 15 experts, makes a compelling case for the genocidal intent as well as for the prosecutorial policy that the court has followed in other cases,” the group’s Anisha Patel and Hassan Ben Imran wrote in an opinion piece published by Al Jazeera.
“If the ICC fails to act once again, it risks undermining its own authority as an institution of international justice and the international legal regime as a whole,” they said.
Yes yes, Israel is above the law. That's the root of the whole problem and current escalations in the Middle East.
Hamas official says aid deliveries not reaching north Gaza
Salama Maarouf, the head of the government media office in Gaza, says the number of aid deliveries to the besieged and bombarded territory is still far below the number needed as residents face a humanitarian catastrophe, particularly in the north of the enclave.
The statement comes as the US has for weeks said it has been pressuring Israel to increase the number of deliveries.
Maarouf said over the past seven days, 1,063 aid trucks entered Gaza with only 49 reaching its northern part.
He added that restricting aid violates an order from the International Court of Justice, which in March ordered Israel to take “all necessary and effective measures” to assure aid is delivered throughout Gaza.
