Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has censured the ongoing Israeli military onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, decribing the regime’s devastating attacks as a blatant example of collective punishment and systematic war crimes against humanity.
Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a telephone conversation with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger on Wednesday.
The Iranian foreign minister denounced Israel’s decision to impose a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, saying, “We are witnessing the continuation and increase of war crimes in Gaza. The Tel Aviv regime has targeted residential areas, hospitals and schools, and cut off water and electricity and has prevented the delivery of fuel and food, all of which represent an example of collective punishment and systematic war crimes against humanity.”
He warned that the situation will get more complicated if the status quo persists, and directly put the blame on Israel and its supporters.
Amir-Abdollahian went on to point to the high number of Palestinian casualties and shortage of food and medicine in Gaza, expressing the readiness of the Iranian Red Crescent Society to dispatch humanitarian aid to Gaza in coordination with the ICRC.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked the foreign ministers of Muslim countries to send their humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he noted.
The ICRC chief, for her part, described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, emphasizing that the Geneva-based humanitarian organization is closely monitoring the unfolding developments, but cannot send any staff to the area due to security concerns.
“We ask all influential parties and governments to help the International [Committee of the] Red Cross maintain its impartial and humanitarian role, and fully perform its duties,” Spoljaric Egger said.
She continued, “We are in contact with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, and will receive the Iranian aid once the conditions improve.”
Palestinian medical authorities say more than 1,000 people have been killed and many more injured as a result of Israeli bombardment across the Gaza Strip.
Hospital officials in the Strip have recorded the death of 1,078 civilians and injury of 5,300 others. A large number of buildings, homes and public facilities have also been badly damaged due to heavy Israeli bombardments.
