Hamas welcomes global call to protect Gaza civilians

The Palestinian group Hamas on Friday welcomed a joint statement by 80 countries that described the situation in Gaza as the worst humanitarian crisis since the outbreak of Israeli military operations in October 2023. The statement, issued earlier this week, called for the protection of Palestinian civilians under international humanitarian law.

In a statement, Hamas said the global response reflects widening international rejection of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” by Israel in Gaza. The group urged the international community to take concrete steps to stop the “crime of starvation” and to lift the blockade on Gaza.

Hamas also called for sanctions on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded accountability for crimes against humanity.