Iran FM: Israel seeks to raze besieged Gaza Strip, massacre its residents

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has warned that the Israeli regime is seeking to raze the entire Gaza Strip and massacre its residents.

Speaking with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the phone on Tuesday night, Amir-Abdollahian censured Israel’s barbaric decision to impose a “complete” siege on Gaza and prevent electricity, food, water and fuel from reaching the strip.

He said the occupying regime is seeking to massacre resilient Gazans through such measures.

“What is happening in Palestinian territories is a direct response to [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s radicalism and extremism, and the injustice done to Palestinian people,” the Iranian foreign minister told Lavrov.

Lavrov, for his part, condemned the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip and underlined the need for cessation of hostilities as soon as possible and a ceasefire between the two sides

Palestinian envoy calls Israeli war on Gaza, threat for complete siege 'genocidal'

Palestine

“In recent years, lots of big achievements have been made in the region like the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, normalization of ties with Syria, and resumption of diplomatic relations between Syria and Turkey, all of which took place without the involvement of the United States,” the top Russian diplomat said.

He emphasized that the Americans are trying to bring all the affairs in the region under their control while regional countries possess innovative initiatives at their disposal.

Israel launched deadly strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip on Saturday after the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement waged a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying regime.

Hamas said that its operation came in response to Israel’s violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds and growing settler violence.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 950 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes so far.

More than 260,000 people have also been displaced in Gaza, with over 175,000 taking shelter in 88 UN schools.

Iran ready to send humanitarian aid to Gaza: FM

Separately, Amir-Abdollahian voiced Iran’s preparedness to dispatch essential medical and humanitarian aid, particularly foodstuff and bottled water, to Gaza in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations.

During a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, the top Iranian diplomat called for immediate action from Muslim countries to help Palestinians living in Gaza amid a total siege of the impoverished enclave.

UN: Israel’s total Gaza blockade amounts to war crime

The UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the blockade “seriously” risks the already dire humanitarian situation.

“The Iranian Red Crescent Society is ready to provide necessary humanitarian aid, including water, food and medicine, to the people of Gaza with the help of Egypt and Muslim countries, through cooperation with the ICRC and Red Crescent Societies,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Shoukry, for his part, condemned the Tel Aviv regime’s relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip and massacre of civilians, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire and stoppage of attacks from both sides.

He noted that there will be coordination through the United Nations as regards the dispatch of humanitarian aid from Muslim countries to the Gaza Strip.

Iran urges Muslim states to take serious action against Israeli crimes

Furthermore, the Iranian foreign minister called for Muslim states’ serious action against heinous Israeli crimes in Gaza during a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah al-Jaber Al Sabah.

WFP launches emergency program to assist 600,000 Palestinians

The World Food Program says it is targeting food help for a further 600,000 people in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

Amir-Abdollahian underscored the need for an emergency foreign ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), voicing Tehran’s readiness to host such an event.

He also emphasized the need to send drinking water and food to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.

Al Sabah, for his part, underlined his country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian nation, saying it is important for both sides to prevent the escalation of violence and save the lives of civilians.

Kuwait supports any initiative aimed at the restoration of peace in Gaza and backs any meeting aimed at such a purpose, he added.

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