FM warns of uncontrollable situation if Zionists continue attacks
Iran’s foreign minister reiterated his warning against the Israeli atrocities and the blockade of Gaza, saying, “If the attacks by the Zionist regime continue, the control of the situation cannot be guaranteed.”
During the fourth day of his regional tour, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday, emphasizing that if the Zionist regime’s attacks against the defenseless people of Gaza persist, no one can ensure control over the situation and prevent the escalation of hostilities, IRNA reported.
“Those who are interested in preventing the scope of war and crisis from expanding need to prevent the current barbaric attacks … against citizens and civilians in Gaza,” he added.
The foreign minister told reporters in Beirut on Saturday that Lebanon’s Hezbollah group has taken all the scenarios of a war into consideration, and Israel should stop its attacks on Gaza as soon as possible.
Palestinians find no escape
Residents in Gaza were desperate on Sunday to find safe hiding places within the city as the Israeli military prepared for what is expected to be a ground offensive accompanied by relentless airstrikes. The journey to the south is also fraught with risks.
Israel’s bombardments are in retaliation for Hamas’ attacks launched last Saturday, killing some 1,400 people.
Clashes at the border with Lebanon reached their deadliest for Israel since 2006, raising fears of a wider war, Reuters reported.
Amir-Abdollahian highlighted the importance of collective action by Muslim countries to put an end to the war crimes committed by “the Zionist apartheid regime” against the people of Gaza.
In this context, he stressed the significance of convening an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the levels of foreign ministers and heads of states.
He added that the US, while advising others to exercise self-restraint, does not adhere to its own advice and has strengthened its comprehensive support for the Zionist regime.
Hamas commitment to civilian prisoners
Regarding his discussions with high-ranking officials of the Hamas movement in Beirut and Doha, the top Iranian diplomat said that these officials emphasized their commitment to addressing the issue of civilian prisoners with an Islamic and humanitarian perspective.
They also expressed their readiness to take the necessary actions in this regard if the field conditions permit, Amir-Abdollahian added.
During the meeting, the Emir of Qatar expressed concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and stated that Doha’s priority is to halt the crimes in Gaza, and their position regarding Palestine remains unchanged. He pointed out that the occupying forces are responsible for the crimes they commit.
Prior to visiting Qatar, the Iranian foreign minister demonstrated solidarity with countries resisting the recent crimes of the Zionist regime through visits to Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria and declared that the resistance is prepared for any scenario.
Pro-Palestinian rallies
Pro-Palestinian rallies continued Sunday across various countries and regions of the world including the US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
However, Germany and France banned demonstrations supporting Palestine, and several countries stepped up security, fearing protests could lead to outbreaks of violence.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in the US capital on Saturday, marching past the White House to chants of “Free Palestine” as the death toll continued to climb in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“What is happening today is just beyond the pale. It’s so upsetting, we are watching people being killed by an army that this country supports,” demonstrator Linda Houghton told AFP.
About 1.1 million people in the north of Gaza have been told by Israel’s military to move to the south, with Israel saying it will allow a safe route for a limited time.
The World Health Organization has criticized the order to move hospital patients from the north, saying it is tantamount to a death sentence.
Medics in Gaza warned Sunday that thousands could die as hospitals packed with wounded people ran desperately low on fuel and basic supplies.
Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave struggled to find food, water, and safety ahead of the expected Israeli ground offensive in the war, AP reported. Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of US warships in the region, positioned themselves along Gaza’s border and drilled for what Israel said would be a broad campaign to dismantle the Hamas group.
Deadliest of five Gaza wars
The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,329 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting erupted, more than in the 2014 Gaza war, which lasted over six weeks. That makes this the deadliest of the five Gaza wars for both sides.
Western countries who support Israel have warned against a regional spillover of the conflict. The United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the region in an effort to “deter hostile actions against Israel”, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.
Israel ‘gone beyond self-defence’
China on Sunday condemned the continued Israeli retaliation to the shock attack, saying Israel should stop its “collective punishment” of Gaza’s civilians with actions that are beyond self-defence.
In a call with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Israel’s attacks would worsen regional tensions and lead to humanitarian disaster, South China Morning Post reported.
“Israel’s actions have gone beyond self-defence,” Wang told Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout released early on Sunday.
The Israeli army is awaiting a “political decision” on the timing of the major ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, military spokesmen said Sunday as civilians stepped up desperate efforts to flee northern Gaza, AFP reported.
The regime has faced pressure from the United Nations and its allies to hold back on any invasion until civilians have been given every chance to leave. The military has not said when the safe passage windows will close.