Palestinian resistance group Hamas has welcomed Türkiye's decision to join the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The announcement follows Ankara’s submission of a declaration to the UN's highest court, aligning itself with South Africa’s legal action against Israel.

In a statement published on Telegram, Hamas described Türkiye's move as a confirmation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people's support for the Palestinian cause. The group urged other nations to join the case and form a united front to end what they termed the "Nazi occupation" of Palestinian lands.

Türkiye's participation adds to the growing list of countries supporting South Africa’s case, which includes Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, and Spain. South Africa initially filed the case last December, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

Türkiye's declaration is expected to bolster South Africa's arguments, focusing on the application of the Genocide Convention to Israel's actions in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. The ongoing conflict has led to international condemnation, especially after Israel ignored a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Local health authorities report that nearly 40,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, and over 91,600 others injured since the conflict began. Gaza remains heavily devastated, suffering under a blockade that restricts access to food, clean water, and medicine. (ILKHA)