Israel’s ceasefire violations part of ‘80-year policy of colonial genocide’ in Palestine: Iran

Iran has denounced Israel’s Saturday airstrikes that killed more than 30 people in Gaza as part of the regime’s “80-year colonial genocide” in the Palestinian territories.

The airstrikes that targeted a police center, tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, and residential neighborhoods across the territory killed more than 30 people, among them six children. The assault was among the latest reported in Gaza since a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in October last year.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Sunday that the regime’s repeated violations of the ceasefire constitute clear evidence of the continuation of an “80-year policy of colonial genocide” in Palestine.

He reiterated that the crimes committed against Palestinians are being carried out with the “support and complicity of the United States and certain European allies,” naming Germany and the United Kingdom.

Baghaei urged United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

He also called for urgent action to halt Israel’s genocidal campaign, ensure the full withdrawal of occupying forces, allow the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid and fully reopen the Rafah border crossing.

Separately, eight Muslim-majority countries also condemned the latest killings, warning that Israel’s violations of the truce deal threaten regional stability.

Death toll from Israeli attacks across Gaza rises to 29 since dawn

At least six of those killed by Israeli regime forces in Gaza on Saturday were children.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, they said the continued violence in Gaza “risks escalating tensions and undermining efforts aimed at consolidating calm and restoring stability” in West Asia.

They said Israel’s ceasefire violations pose a “direct threat” to the political process and hinder efforts to improve security and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Gaza’s Government Media Office says Israeli forces have killed at least 524 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect in October.

Under the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Tel Aviv said it would reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday for the first time since May 2024.

Israeli authorities, however, said only a “limited movement of people” cleared by Israeli security would be allowed, adding that no humanitarian aid or supplies would be permitted to enter.

Hamas rejected the restrictions, calling for unrestricted movement in and out of Gaza, and urged Israel to adhere to all provisions of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza has killed more than 71,600 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, according to Palestinian authorities.

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