Israel tells ICJ to throw out genocide charge, Hamas 'to abide' by ruling

"We expect the ICJ to throw out these spurious and specious charges," the spokesperson, Eylon Levy, said in a briefing.

 Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip, January 1, 2024 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip, January 1, 2024
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Israel voiced confidence on Thursday that the International Court of Justice would throw out South African allegations that the Gaza war amounts to genocide against Palestinians, which an Israeli government spokesperson described as without basis.

"We expect the ICJ to throw out these spurious and specious charges," the spokesperson, Eylon Levy, said in a briefing.

The briefing was held ahead of the court's scheduled convening on Friday to announce whether it will grant emergency measures against Israel.

Hamas says it will abide by any ICJ ceasefire order if Israel reciprocates

Hamas said on Thursday that if the International Court of Justice issues a ruling calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian movement will abide by it as long as Israel reciprocates.

 Soldiers from the Commando Brigade operating in Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip, January 25, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Soldiers from the Commando Brigade operating in Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip, January 25, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Hamas will release all the Israeli hostages in Gaza if Israel releases all Palestinian prisoners, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said at a news conference in Beirut.