Iran accuses Israel of resuming assaults on Gaza, labeling the actions as a ‘continuation of genocide and ethnic cleansing’
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has issued a stern rebuke against recent Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, characterizing them as ongoing acts of "genocide and ethnic cleansing" against the population in the blockaded region.
In a statement delivered on Tuesday, Baghaei addressed the situation following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, notably including women and children.
He further asserted that the United States holds complete responsibility for the fatalities in Gaza, emphasizing that Israeli operations are being conducted with tacit approval from Washington.
Baghaei has urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and intervene to halt what he describes as the war crimes being committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza. He claims these actions are conducted with the full support of the United States, Britain, and other Western countries.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry emphasized that ignoring Israel’s clear violations of international law risks undermining the legal framework established by the UN Charter. The spokesperson warned that such oversight could have dire implications for global peace and security.
Baghaei emphasized the obligations of the Muslim community to halt ongoing genocidal actions in occupied Palestine. He called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take firm actions, urging the swift prosecution of Israeli leaders at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Furthermore, Baghaei advocated for the enforcement of decisions made by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and proposed halting the supply of weapons and financial aid to the occupying forces.
On Tuesday, more than 400 Palestinians, among them women and children, lost their lives as hostilities reignited in Gaza after a two-month truce between the Israeli government and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas was broken. The renewal of violence marks a significant setback in efforts to maintain peace in the region.
Overnight Israeli airstrikes targeting Gaza, marking the most lethal incident since the commencement of a ceasefire in the beleaguered region, have triggered a global outcry and widespread condemnation.
On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties, with over 48,000 Palestinian lives lost, predominantly among women and children. Despite the devastating impact, Israeli forces have not achieved their stated goals.
The Tel Aviv administration has agreed to Hamas’s longstanding negotiation terms as part of the three-phase ceasefire in Gaza, which commenced on January 19.
Subsequently, Israel declined to advance to the ceasefire’s second phase, which necessitated the withdrawal of its occupying forces from the Gaza region.
