TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmael Baghihai has vehemently condemned the escalation of Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, calling for brutal and systematic massacre targeting innocent civilians, especially women and children.
Baghaei kills the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, the United Nations Commission on Independent International Inquiry, Médecins Sans Frontières (Practitioners Without Borders), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, and the United Nations relief organization. A complete blockade of Gaza, including destruction of critical infrastructure, targeting medical facilities, obstructing humanitarian aid, and reducing water, electricity and fuel.
“These actions represent clear cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Baguey said Tuesday, emphasizing that political and military leaders of the Israeli regime must be held responsible for these crimes and face prosecution.
Citing recent remarks by the UN Secretary-General on the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza, Baghey warned that civilians, particularly women and children, are enduring daily artillery fire, widespread hunger, disease outbreaks and forced displacement. He reiterated the concerns of the Unrwa Commissioner, noting that these conditions reflect a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing and systematic elimination of the Palestinians.
Baghey also accused Israel of intentionally targeting humanitarian workers and journalists in a coordinated attempt to silence voices exposing Gaza’s suffering. Despite these efforts, he highlighted the courage of Palestinian reporters and the growing involvement of independent international media and activists who are taking part in the global campaign “Stop the Genocide.” He said the movement helped to generate widespread global demonstrations denounce Israel’s actions.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed his gratitude to the organizations, media and activists who work to support the Palestinian people and raise global awareness. He urged all governments, international organisations and human rights agencies (particularly the UN Security Council) to take prompt and decisive steps to halt the ongoing killings in Gaza and in the West Bank and to ensure prosecution of those responsible for these atrocities.
The Israeli Army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 1,630 people and injuring more than 4,300 in January despite a ceasefire agreement.
Israeli bombings across Gaza continue to insist on the lives of more Palestinians as the regime’s blockade of humanitarian aid exacerbates the already dire situation in the siege territory.
Iran is concerned about the worsening situation in Sudan
In another statement, Bhagihai condemned the siege of El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur, and attacks on displaced people displaced in camps in Zamzam and Abu Shuk.
Expressing deep concern over the city’s worsening humanitarian situation, Baghey called for the immediate end of the siege, halting violence and protecting civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
He also reaffirmed Iran’s principled position in supporting Sudan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Since 2023, the power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the country into civil war. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of people with more than 12 million, and has led the International Rescue Commission to characterize it as “the biggest humanitarian crisis ever documented.”