Hamas hails UN flotilla report as proof of the escalation of Israeli terrorism

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has called the UN Human Rights Council’s report on Israel’s assault on the Freedom Flotilla and the siege of the Gaza Strip “further evidence” of the Zionist state’s “terrorism, human rights violations and crimes committed against humanity”.

In a statement on Thursday 23rd September, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said, “The new report puts the international community and international organisations to a new test; either they agree with the application of international law and trying Israeli leaders as war criminals, or they continue with their current policy of double-standards.”

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The UNHRC earlier accused the Israeli army of using excessive force against the Turkish vessel the Mavi Marmara, in international waters on 31st May while the ship was part of the Freedom Flotilla heading for the Gaza Strip. The investigation team said that the Israeli forces violated international law and human rights principles during the attack on the flotilla and that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Israel for acts of murder and deliberate torture.

According to Mr. Barhoum, the UNHRC report requires a quick and practical response from the international community to prosecute Israeli leaders for their crimes. Such firm action would act as a deterrent against the Israeli government, he added, curbing its “aggression and terrorism”.

Nine Turkish civilians were killed by Israeli commandos during the assault, resulting in a rise in tension between Turkey and Israel, despite warm relations between the two countries for almost sixty years.