29-03-2024 05:31 PM Jerusalem Timing

Hamas Signs Palestinian Application for ICC Membership

Hamas Signs Palestinian Application for ICC Membership

Hamas has signed a proposal for the Palestinians to apply to join the International Criminal Court at which legal action could be taken against the Zionist entity, a senior official of the movements said Saturday.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has signed a proposal for the Palestinians to apply to join the International Criminal Court at which legal action could be taken against the Zionist entity, a senior official of the movement said Saturday.

"Hamas signed the document which (Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud) Abbas put forth as a condition that all factions approve, before he goes to sign the Rome Statute, which paves the way for Palestine's membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC)," Hamas deputy leader Mussa Abu Marzuq wrote on his Facebook page.

The Palestinian declaration came after two days of talks in Qatar between Abbas and Hamas leaderKhaled Meshaal.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP that the Islamic Jihad, the second most prominent resistance movement, "is currently the only Palestinian faction that has not signed" the document.

"They are studying the possibility of signing," he added.

According to Erakat, "the document calls on Abbas to sign the Rome Statute to join the ICC, and indicates all the signatories assume responsibility for this membership."

Based in The Hague, the ICC opened its doors in 2003 and is the world's first independent court set up to try the worst crimes, including genocide and war crimes.

Since the July 7, the Zionist entity has been pounding the besieged strip of Gaza, killing thousands of Palestinian civilians and injuring tens of thousands of others.