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Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 18:07 IST
Iran condemned Israel's air strikes in Gaza, calling them genocide and blaming the US. Over 400 were killed. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Russia also urged a ceasefire.
Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Iran condemned Israel’s wave of air strikes in Gaza on Tuesday, the deadliest since a truce took effect in January.
In a statement, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the strikes a “continuation of the genocide and ethnic cleansing" in the Palestinian territories, and accused the United States of “direct responsibility" in the attack.
Israel carried out its heaviest attacks since the start of the ceasefire overnight, with the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reporting more than 400 people killed.
Baqaei warned of the “catastrophic consequences and implications of this situation on global peace and security".
Iran does not recognise Israel, which its officials refer to as the “Zionist regime", and Tehran has made support for the Palestinian cause a pillar of its foreign policy since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
Tehran also supports the Palestinian militant group Hamas, with which Israel has been at war in Gaza since the group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the ceasefire took effect on January 19, largely halting more than 15 months of fighting in the Palestinian territory triggered by the October 7 attack.
The first phase of the ceasefire ended in early March, and the two warring parties have been unable to agree on the next steps.
‘Ignite The Region’
Gaza war mediator Qatar on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel’s resumed attacks that killed more than 400 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Qatar’s foreign ministry “warns that (Israel’s) escalating policies will ultimately ignite the region and undermine its security and stability", it said in a statement.
Saudi Condemns Strikes ‘In Strongest Terms’
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned Israel’s bombing of “unarmed civilians" after more than 400 people were killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
A foreign ministry statement voiced “Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the Israeli occupation forces’ resumption of aggression… and their direct bombardment of areas populated by unarmed civilians".
Re-establish Ceasefire
The British government called on Israel and Hamas Tuesday to implement their ceasefire agreement for Gaza “in full", urging all parties to “return urgently to dialogue" to end fighting.
“We want to see this ceasefire agreement re-established as soon as possible," said Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman, adding that reported civilian casualties from Israeli strikes overnight were “appalling".
Kremlin Regrets Deaths Of Gazans
Russia on Tuesday condemned Israel’s renewed strikes on the Gaza strip, which killed more than 400 people according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
“Moscow deeply regrets Israel’s resumption of its military operation in the Gaza Strip," the Russian foreign ministry said. “Russia strongly condemns any action that leads to the death of civilians and destruction of social infrastructure."
Location :Tehran/London/Moscow
First Published:March 18, 2025, 18:06 IST
News world ‘Continuation Of Genocide’: Iran Condemns Gaza Strikes, Qatar Says Israeli Actions Could ‘Ignite’ Region
