This picture taken from Rafah on Jan 12, 2024, shows smoke billowing over the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Hamas. (PHOTO / AFP)

GAZA/THE HAGUE - Hamas announced on Thursday that the movement is ready to observe a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if the International Court of Justice issues a ruling calling for it as long as Israel reciprocates.

"If the court issues a ceasefire decision, the Hamas movement will adhere to the ceasefire as long as Israel adheres to that," the group said in a statement.

The ICJ is set to deliver a ruling on South Africa's genocide case against Israel on Friday in Hague. It will also rule on South Africa's demand for the court's urgent intervention to stop Israel's military operation in Gaza.

On Dec 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

In addition, the group said that "Hamas will release the Israeli prisoners detained by it if Israel releases the Palestinian prisoners detained by it," noting that Israel must "end the siege that has been ongoing for 18 years on Gaza and allow the entry of all necessary aid for relief and reconstruction".

Judge Joan E. Donoghue, the president of the court, will read out the order at 1 pm local time (1200 GMT) during a public sitting at the Peace Palace.

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On Dec 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In this application, South Africa also requested the court to indicate provisional measures in order to "protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention," and "to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide."

During two-day public hearings held earlier this month, South African representatives accused Israel of "deliberate" and "systemic" genocide against Palestinians. Israeli representatives argued that Israel's military operation in Gaza was an act of self-defense, and denied South Africa's genocide accusation.

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As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It has the power "to indicate, if it considers that circumstances so require, any provisional measures," while resolving legal disputes between countries. Its judgment is final and without appeal.