Iran Condemns Israeli Air Raids on Gaza

In a statement on Sunday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi denounced the Israeli attacks on Gaza, saying, “In light of the unlimited US support for this (Israeli) regime and the shameful silence of certain Muslim governments, there is no end to the serial crimes of Zionists in the occupied territories of Palestine.”

He also praised Palestinians for their “legitimate struggles and forbearing resistance” against the Zionist regime, stressing that Palestinian people have a legitimate right to defend themselves against the Israeli crimes.

Mousavi called for immediate action by regional and international organizations and associations to stop the Israeli atrocities against the people of Palestine.

The upsurge in violence came after the Israeli prime minister ordered the military to continue massive strikes on the enclave. Benjamin Netanyahu also said Israeli forces around Gaza would be reinforced.

Tensions erupted on Friday following the killing of four Palestinians, two in an Israeli air raid on southern Gaza and two during the regime’s live fire at anti-occupation protesters near a fence separating the blockaded coastal enclave from the occupied territories.

The Israeli military claimed that its initial aerial assault had come in response to the wounding of two of its soldiers by Palestinian gunfire near the Gaza fence.

On Monday, Palestinian officials said an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire agreement was reached with Israel to end the surge of violence.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.

Some 2 million Palestinians live in Gaza, whose economy has suffered years of blockades as well as recent foreign aid cuts. Unemployment stands at 52 percent, according to the World Bank, and poverty is rampant.

Israel says its blockade is necessary to stop weapons reaching Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since the group seized control of Gaza in 2007.

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