DHAKA: Hamas has signed a proposal for the Palestinians to apply to join the International Criminal Court at which legal action could be taken against Israel.

A senior official of the Islamist movement said Saturday, reports The Straits Times.

‘Hamas signed the document which (Palestinian) president (Mahmud Abbas) put forth as a condition that all factions approve, before he goes to sign the Rome Statute, which paves the way for Palestine’s membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC),’ Hamas deputy leader Mussa Abu Marzuq wrote on his Facebook page.

The Palestinian declaration came after two days of talks in Qatar between Abbas and Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal, whose militant movement is the de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told media that the Islamic Jihad, the second most powerful force in Gaza, ‘is currently the only Palestinian faction that has not signed’ the document.

BDST: 1640 HRS, AUG 23, 2014