Iran FM calls for political, economic sanctions on Israel, trial of its leaders over Gaza strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to impose  political and economic sanctions on Israel and set up a tribunal to prosecute Israeli leaders for their war crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The top Iranian diplomat made the appeal at a Wednesday emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Saudi city of Jeddah, where participants discussed the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict after an Israeli attack on the Anglican-run al-Ahli al-Arab Hospital, also known as the Baptist Hospital, in central Gaza that killed at least 500 people and wounded hundreds of others.

“The latest crime comes as the Zionist regime collapsed in the wake of Operation al-Aqsa Strom launched … on October 7. America is trying to resuscitate the broken-down Zionist regime through aggression against civilians. The United States is responsible for recent atrocities,” Amir-Abdollahian noted.

He went on to dismiss the Israeli military’s allegations that the Islamic Jihad resistance movement was responsible for a strike on a packed hospital compound in central Gaza, saying that no one would believe that Islamic Jihad would use such a sophisticated bomb against its fellow compatriots.

Every drop of Palestinian blood brings Israel closer to downfall: Iran president

Iranian President Raeisi says the Israeli regime is only accelerating its demise by killing innocent Palestinian women and children in besieged Gaza.

He emphasized that the Iranian flag has been flown at half-staff at the country’s embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide in reaction to the tragic incident, and Iranian officials have even declared a day of national mourning.

The Iranian foreign minister slammed as “inhumane” the killing and displacement of Palestinian people, the decision to cut off electricity and water supplies to Gaza as well as restrictions on entry of Palestinians into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied al-Quds, emphasizing that Christian rituals are not even spared from Israeli desecrations.

“The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has been founded on [supporting] the Palestinian cause and the issue of Palestine should continue to be the prime issue of the Muslim world,” he continued.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized, “There is no doubt that Operation al-Aqsa Storm proved that the Palestinian issue is still thriving. The status quo in Palestine will be different from what it used to be before and [what it will be] after the operation. This operation proved that Palestine belongs to all Palestinians.”

The Iranian foreign minister noted that the Islamic Republic, in line with its policy of supporting practical measures to back Palestine, suggests that Muslim countries take coordinated measures to stop war crimes.

“Muslim countries should work towards opening up humanitarian corridors for the besieged residents of the Gaza Strip and their access to drinking water, food and medicine. The OIC member states should also urge the Security Council to issue resolutions in support of Palestine and in condemnation of Israel’s settlement construction,” he pointed out.

Factbox: Bombing of Gaza hospital not first time Israel has targeted hospitals

The devastating bombing of a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday night is not the first time the Israeli regime has targeted health facilities. It has for years been bombing hospitals and killing medics.

Amir-Abdollahian also demanded an emergency meeting of the Human Rights Council to deal with Israeli crimes, saying, “It is necessary to impose political and economic sanctions on the regime and members should also set up a tribunal to try Israeli leaders, pilots, army commanders and political figures.”

“The Israeli crimes must stop immediately. Muslim countries should sever relations with the Zionist regime and put an embargo on Israeli goods. Influential religious and Christian figures are also expected to condemn the recent criminal acts,” the top Iranian diplomat stressed.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group waged a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

So far, 3,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids, including more than 1,000 children and 1,000 women.

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