Abbas initially reluctant to take this step but with the continued loss of life, which until Thursday had reached more than 1,400 people mainly civilians, Abbas hinted would take such a step. The Associated Press quoted Palestinian officials said Abbas has even called on all Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and smaller jihadist groups, to submit a written statement approving the move. Some factions of the PLO signed the statement in a meeting in the West Bank this week, but Abbas is still waiting for the response of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group.
Some Palestinian officials, as the AP, said that Abbas's decision as a double-edged knife. If Abbas delivered a lawsuit against Israeli war crimes to the International Criminal Court, he might be able to engage with Hamas, a rival who is now a political partner, with similar allegations, because Hamas has launched thousands of rockets from Gaza towards Israeli communities.
Previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Thursday accused Israel and Hamas alike have violated the laws of war. Pillay said that Hamas had violated international humanitarian law by "placing rockets in schools and hospitals or even the launch of a densely populated residential area" but Israel should not ignore the same law by attacking civilians in neutral areas such as hospitals, schools, homes, and even UN facilities.
Spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry Yigal Palmor declined to comment on the allegations Pillay and Palestinian plan delivered to the International Criminal Court lawsuit....VOA
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