to report «iusnews»; Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi described the Israeli killing of women and children in the Gaza Strip as a “clear example of a crime against humanity”, and said that the Zionist regime’s horrifying crimes in the densely-populated territory constitute the “biggest genocide” of the century.
Iran’s president made the remark in a telephone conversation with the leader of the Catholic Church Pope Francis on Sunday, as heavy bombardment continues across the Gaza Strip.
“The horrendous and unprecedented crimes of the usurper Zionist regime in martyring nearly 10,000 people, including 4,000 children and 2,500 women [in Gaza], is the biggest genocide of the century,” Rayeesi told the pope.
The president slammed certain Western countries that support Israel’s crimes despite the global outcry against them, saying, “What response can the countries supporting this regime give to the people of the world in the face of such shocking crimes?”
Rayeesi described Israel’s strikes against the residential areas in Gaza, including its raids hospitals and refugee camps, as “clear examples of crimes against humanity”.
“The bombing of the Gaza church and the destruction of this historical heritage of the Palestinian nation is an example of apartheid practices not only against Palestinian Muslims, but also against other divine religions, which was carried out with the support of the United States and a number of European countries,” Iran’s president continued, referring to a report released by international institutions, which have called Israel an apartheid regime.
He stressed that supporting the people of Palestine is “in line with the teachings of all Abrahamic religions, including Christians”, appreciating the position taken by the pontiff on the necessity of enforcing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Rayeesi asked Pope Francis to remind the Western supporters of Israel to speed up efforts aimed at stopping the regime’s crimes.
Iran’s president also called for diplomatic attempts to immediately stop the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and dispatch humanitarian aid there.
Pope Francis, for his part, appreciated the Iranian president’s positions in support of the oppressed people of Palestine.
He emphasized the need to stop Israel’s assault on Gaza and establish a ceasefire there, stating, “As the leader of the world's Catholics, I will do everything in my power to stop these attacks and prevent more women and children from becoming victims in Gaza.”
On October 7, Hamas launched a multi-pronged surprise military operation via land, sea and air. The group announced it was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians. The attacks have so far killed more than 1,400 and injured over 5,000, according to Israeli officials. Hamas also announced it is holding between at least 200 and 250 hostages.
Following the multi-front attack by Hamas, Israel carried out heavy bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing nearly 9,800 Palestinians, including at least 4,000 children and over 3,000 women, and wounding over 26,000 others, and levelling entire neighbourhoods.
Tel Aviv has ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza, saying it would halt its supply of electricity, food, water and fuel. Israel’s military has also ordered 1.1 million people living in Northern Gaza to evacuate their homes, amid signs it is set to ramp up its offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Tel Aviv will not agree to a ceasefire with the Palestinian movement Hamas because it would mean surrender. He added Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip has entered its third stage which includes expanding ground operations in the enclave.
The bombing, as well as enforced displacement orders by the Israeli Army, has pushed 1.5 million people out of their homes.
The Gaza Health Ministry has also confirmed that the healthcare system in the besieged territory has “totally collapsed due to the Israeli war”.
The UN agencies have warned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is "catastrophic", calling for more international help as conditions deteriorate in the densely populated besieged enclave.
Iranian officials say the current status in West Asia resembled a powder keg which could spiral out of control. They caution that if diplomatic efforts to stop Israeli relentless bombardment and prevent a ground offensive on Gaza are unsuccessful, there is a risk of the conflict escalating uncontrollably, with multiple regional players joining the fight.
Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on Earth, where some 2 million people live in an area of 140 square miles. It has been almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for nearly 17 years. More than half of its population lives in poverty and is food insecure, with nearly 80% of its population relying on humanitarian assistance.
Tehran says the history of the apartheid regime is full of assassinations, massacre, torture and killing of Palestinian kids, and described Tel Aviv regime's atrocities and massacre of Palestinian women and children as indicative of the destitute of Zionists. Iranian officials say the Tel Aviv regime has been struggling for more than 70 years to exit its identity crisis which has been mixed with genocide, plunder, forced displacement and scores of other inhumane moves.
