IRAN FM REGRETS UN INACTION ON ISRAELI WAR AGAINST GAZA

Tehran, 1 Syawwal 1435/28 July 2014 (MINA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has bemoaned the lack of serious action by the United Nations to stop the Israeli regime’s offensive against the Gaza Strip.

In a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday, Zarif urged the UN fact-finding committee to examine the depths of the Israeli regime’s crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly the killing of children and women.

“In any ceasefire proposal, the demand of the Gazans, particularly for the lifting of the Gaza Strip, should be included,” the Iranian minister added, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Monday morning.

He also called for international efforts to immediately send foodstuff and medical aid to people in the besieged enclave.

Ban also said that as the UN chief, he has been making efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and help put an end to its blockade.

As part of his diplomatic efforts, the Iranian minister also held separate phone talks with his Turkish, Qatari and Kuwaiti counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, Khaled al-Attiyah and Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-hamad Al-sabah on Sunday. The sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.

Israel unleashed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on July 8. Over the past 20 days, Israeli warplanes have been hitting numerous sites in the besieged Gaza Strip, demolishing houses and burying families in the rubble.

Israel also began a ground offensive against the impoverished enclave on July 17.

The Palestinian death toll from 20 days of aerial and ground assaults on Gaza now stands 1,062, with more than 6,000 people injured.

The Tel Aviv regime confirms that 43 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the Gaza war. However, Al-Qassam Brigades, which is the military wing of Hamas, says Palestinian resistance fighters have killed at least 90 Israeli soldiers. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)