The German government issued a statement late on Friday reiterating that it "firmly and explicitly" rejects the accusation of genocide that has now been brought before the International Court of Justice against Israel.

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said that the German government intended to intervene as a third party in the main hearing.

Hebestreit, echoing comments from Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck in Jerusalem on Thursday, said that if any group in the region harbored genocidal intent, it was Hamas. 

"On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed and kidnapped innocent people in Israel. Hamas' goal is to wipe out Israel. Since then, Israel has been defending itself against Hamas' inhuman attack," government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

He noted modern-day Germany's particular commitment to Israel given its Nazi past and said that as a result it also felt a special commitment to the Genocide Convention created in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

"We stand decisively against the political instrumentalization [of this convention]," the statement said. 

"We know that various countries evaluate Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip differently," Hebestreit said. "But the German government firmly and explicitly rejects the allegation of genocide against Israel currently raised at the International Court of Justice. This allegation has no basis whatsoever."  

Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, also drew attention to the announcement.