The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has "strongly" censured South Africa's decision to ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an additional 18-month period to submit its allegations in the proceedings opened against Israel for genocide, linked to the offensive on the Gaza Strip following the attacks by Palestinian armed groups in October 2023.
In a brief message disseminated by the newspaper 'Filastin', Hamas spokesperson Basem Naím indicated that the Palestinian group "strongly condemns South Africa's request to postpone the genocide trial against 'Israel' before the ICJ for 36 months," while the court's own resolution specifies that the African country requested "that it grant the applicant at least 18 months to present its reply, given the complexity of the case."
Hamas has also deplored the ICJ's determination to accept the South African request, considering that "the delay in the application of justice means that the criminal continues to enjoy impunity and continues to commit his crimes" and recalling "the great symbolism that (the African country) has in the fight for justice and the defense of the oppressed."
These statements come after the ICJ published an order on May 21st setting November 22, 2027, as the deadline for South Africa to present its reply and May 22, 2029, as the deadline for Israel to submit its counter-reply.
The resolution was adopted after a meeting held on April 29th between the court's presidency and the two parties, in which South Africa requested a second round of written submissions due to the complexity of the case and the breadth of the counter-memorial submitted by Israel.