Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian holds Israel accountable for the dire consequences of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip as trapped residents are cut off from food, water and electricity, voicing Iran’s readiness to send humanitarian aid to the region.
During a telephone conversation with Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian described Operation al-Aqsa Strom as a Palestinian initiative and a direct response to the war crimes and radical measures of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right administration over the past few months.
“Gaza is currently under a complete siege. Water and electricity have been cut off, and medicine and foodstuff are not allowed to reach children, women and other civilians. All this is taking place amid the Zionist regime’s attacks and war crimes,” the top Iranian diplomat said.
He went on to point to the high number of women and children among Palestinian fatalities in the Gaza Strip, stating that Israel is held accountable for the adverse consequences and deterioration of conditions in the coastal territory.
Amir-Abdollahian also voiced Iran’s readiness to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying the UN is expected to take urgent action to dispatch water, food and humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in the impoverished territory.
For his part, Guterres said hundreds of UN staff members in Gaza are facing dire conditions, and several of them have even been killed in Israeli strikes.
The UN chief highlighted that a large number of displaced people are taking shelter in schools run by the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), emphasizing that the world body is holding consultations with other countries to reduce attacks on Gaza and prevent a major catastrophe there.
“We have always opposed the extremist policies of Israeli officials. We believe the problems could be resolved through recognition of Palestinians’ right to decide their fate and form an independent sovereign Palestinian state,” Guterres said.
The UN secretary general noted that the world body is consulting extensively with various parties to prevent the spillover of the conflict to other regions.
While appreciating Iran’s readiness to send water, food and medicine to Gaza in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, Guterres expressed concern that a disaster in Gaza is very likely as fuel for power plants is running out.
