News - Middle East: The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City and relocate its population as a clear violation of international law, warning that the move represents a new phase of genocide and forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in the region.

Hamas made the remarks in a statement published on its Telegram channel on Sunday, following Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to take complete control of the Gaza Strip's largest city, Gaza City.

“The plans to occupy Gaza and displace its population are a major war crime that reflects the occupation’s disregard for international and humanitarian laws,” it said.

Hamas further expressed skepticism towards Israel's talk of providing shelters and humanitarian assistance in the southern Gaza Strip, labeling it as a deceptive tactic to mask its displacement plan.

The resistance group also asserted that the political and military support from the United States is enabling the occupation to continue its acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing. 

Additionally, Hamas pointed out that Netanyahu and his cabinet are actively advocating for the removal of Palestinians from their land, aligning with a strategy to extend Israel's territory into neighboring countries such as Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. 

Hamas further cautioned that the concept of 'Greater Israel' presents a significant threat to the entire West Asia region. 

Furthermore, the group urged Arab and Muslim nations, as well as the international community, to address and oppose Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza.

Israel has launched a genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian resistance fighters carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the Zionist entity in response to the regime's decades-long campaign of death and destruction against Palestinians.

The regime’s bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed nearly 61,827 Palestinians and injured 155,275 others, mostly women and children.

The regime has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of aid and further worsening Gaza's already dire humanitarian crisis since March 2, when it violated its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Earlier this month, Israel’s so-called “political-security cabinet” approved a plan to occupy Gaza City after Netanyahu announced the regime’s intention to return the entire strip to Israeli occupation, which triggered global outrage.

At the time, the United Nations called reports about a possible expansion of Israel's invasions in the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming".

Hamas also condemned Netanyahu's plan as an extension of his genocidal policies and displacement tactics against the Palestinian people.

Press TV