In response to the first day of hearings at the International Court of Justice, where UN experts presented their views on the legality of the “Israeli occupation of the West Bank,” the Palestinian militant organization Hamas issued a statement. The group’s response was direct and charged, setting the stage for a contentious period of legal scrutiny.
In their statement, Hamas expressed unequivocal demands for an international investigation into the alleged crimes perpetrated by Israel, specifically targeting the Gaza Strip. The group emphasized the plight of women and girls, stating that these are the most vulnerable demographic under the Israeli administration. “This supports allegations that the occupation overseen by the war criminal Netanyahu is an act of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” the statement read.
The document further elaborated on the types of violence Palestinian women are subjected to, such as shootings and beatings, arbitrary arrests, and deprivation of essential resources like food and medical care. It also highlighted instances of sexual threats, intimidation, and derogatory verbal abuse. The document urged that these accounts should be incorporated into the genocide case.
As a reminder, the UN experts involved in this case have presented evidence that suggests extensive human rights violations by Israel, particularly against women and girls. The accusations state that these individuals are deliberately targeted and killed, often alongside other family members, including children.
The issue of sexual violence against Palestinians was given special attention. The experts shared disturbing accounts of Israeli male officers undressing and searching Palestinian women. “There are at least two cases where rape has been substantiated, and many instances where it was threatened,” Anadolu Agency quoted the experts as saying.
The experts’ testimony also highlighted more alarming incidents. They reported that IDF soldiers opened fire on people who approached them with white flags, a universal symbol of surrender. There were also accounts of Palestinian children being abducted and taken to Israel. One particularly harrowing allegation was that of a Palestinian woman who was reportedly kept in a cage in the rain without food.
