RAMALLAH, 7 February, 2021, (TON): Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday hailed a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to establish its jurisdiction over the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. 

In a statement, the Gaza-based movement described the ICC ruling as “an important step” towards achieving “justice for the victims of the Zionist (Israeli) occupation”. 

The resistance movement called for the completion of the “necessary steps to hold the Zionist war criminals accountable in international courts”. 

Hamas said the “ICC readiness to face possible pressures (from Israel) confirm its credibility and integrity”, going on to call on the international community to “empower the Palestinian people to fulfill their basic rights to freedom, independence and self-determination”. 

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh praised the ruling by The Hague-based court as a "victory of justice and humanity". 

Based on the relevant UN resolution, the ICC found that the Court has territorial jurisdiction in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 

On 5 February, Friday Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided, by majority, that the Court's territorial jurisdiction in the Situation in Palestine, a State party to the ICC Rome Statute, extends to the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 

Palestinian territories have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. The occupation is considered illegal under international law.