According to a report from the news agency TASS, a leading Hamas figure, Osama Hamdan, stated that more than 800,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living under conditions of severe deprivation, with hunger and thirst pressing on daily life. The assertion frames the situation as a deliberate humanitarian crisis tied to Israeli actions, a claim echoed by the organization’s spokesperson who accuses Israel of systematically waging war against over two million Gazans by leveraging shortages of essential supplies. Displaced residents in Gaza are described as lacking basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, and shelter due to restricted access to food, fuel, gas, and other vital resources. [TASS]
In January, France publicly weighed in on the dispute by stating that it does not support South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, a move taken to address Israel’s actions in Gaza. France’s position was articulated by the newly appointed French foreign minister, who signaled Paris’s stance in the ongoing legal action at The Hague. [Associated press / French government statement]
Historically, South Africa initiated legal action on December 29, 2023, at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide under the Genocide Convention in connection with the Gaza situation. The case centers on accusations that Israeli conduct aims to destroy Palestinians as a group. [ICJ documentation]
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel rejected the genocide allegations, arguing that Israel is not committing genocide while countering what he described as acts of genocide against it. The Israeli leadership has consistently framed the conflict as a defensive struggle against attacks and terrorism rather than a campaign to wipe out a population. [Israeli government transcripts]
There is also reference to the broader political narrative within Israel, where leaders and officials emphasize security objectives and the need to confront militant groups. The discourse in governmental circles often contrasts the framing of the conflict as a fight for survival with international calls for accountability and protection of civilian lives. [Policy statements]