Hamas condemns Gaza blockade as war crime, demands global action
Hamas has condemned Israel’s two-month total blockade of the Gaza Strip, asserting that the regime’s use of starvation as a weapon constitutes a war crime and shows contempt for the international community and defiance of international judicial institutions.
In a statement released on the sixtieth day of Gaza’s blockade, Hamas warned that famine is intensifying as food stocks are depleted and deliberately targeted by bombardment as part of a brutal extermination campaign against the Strip.
“The continued use of starvation as a weapon against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip by the terrorist occupation government represents a blatant disregard for the international community, for humanitarian values and laws, and directly challenges international institutions, including the International Court of Justice, which is currently holding dedicated hearings on the occupying power’s humanitarian obligations,” Hamas said.
The movement also cited recent revelations by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philip Lazarini that the occupation is using agency employees as human shields during their arrest, saying they further expose the brutality of the Israeli entity, which has entirely abandoned humanitarian values and engaged in criminal conduct at all levels.
Hamas called on countries worldwide and United Nations institutions to stand by the values of humanity and justice.
“Pressure must be exerted on the occupying power to lift the blockade imposed on over 2.25 million people in the Gaza Strip and to end the systematic war crime of starvation unfolding before the eyes and ears of the world,” it said.
The movement further made an urgent appeal to Arab and Islamic nations as well as to free peoples around the world to take immediate action in support of Gaza.
“We reiterate our call to Arab and Islamic countries, their peoples, and to the free peoples of the world to take immediate action to assist our people in the Strip. Efforts must be made on all levels to enforce the opening of crossings, to deliver aid and relief supplies, and to support and bolster the resilience of our people on their own land.”
