Gaza city: Palestinian resistance group Hamas has condemned the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to occupy Gaza City, labeling it a 'war crime and an act of ethnic cleansing' against Palestinians in the besieged territory.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas issued a statement warning that Israel's incursion into Gaza would not be a simple endeavor and cautioned that Israel would 'pay a heavy price' for its military actions. The group accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government of disregarding the safety of Israeli hostages in Gaza, suggesting that the escalation of conflict represents a deliberate decision to endanger them.

Hamas criticized Israel's attempt to replace the term 'occupation' with 'control,' arguing that it is a tactic to evade legal responsibility for alleged crimes against nearly 1 million Palestinians in Gaza City. This shift in terminology by Israel's Security Cabinet, as observed by legal analysts, is perceived as an effort to sidestep international legal obligations toward Palestinian civilians.

The ongoing military campaign by Israel in Gaza has led to increasing international criticism. Since the escalation in October 2023, more than 61,000 people have been killed, and the region is on the brink of famine due to the extensive destruction caused by the conflict.