WANA (Jan 16) – The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the truce in Gaza announced that “alongside halting the genocide in Gaza, the international community must seriously and effectively confront the Zionist regime’s aggression throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and take steps to arrest, prosecute, and punish the criminal leaders of the Israeli regime.”

 

On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a statement that began with the Quranic verse, “So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith]” (Quran 30:60), declared:

 

The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip—achieved as a result of the unmatched resistance, courage, bravery, and resilience of the great people of Palestine and Gaza against one of the largest genocides and population displacements in history, along with the solidarity and unity of the people of Gaza with the dignified resistance and their steadfast opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians—is a historical victory for the Palestinian nation. We extend our congratulations to the resilient people, the resistance of Palestine, and all supporters and advocates of resistance in the region and the world.”

 

The occupying and genocidal Israeli regime, over the past 15 months, has systematically and extensively violated fundamental principles and rules of international law, human rights, and humanitarian law while committing the gravest war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pursuing the ‘colonial eradication’ plan of the Palestinian nation—which began eight decades ago with the support or silence of colonial powers—the Israeli regime acted with unprecedented brutality.

 

It crossed all legal and ethical red lines, recording a new level of savagery in history. The senseless killing of civilians, particularly women and children, the destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, the obliteration of hospitals and schools, attacks on refugee camps and shelters, and targeting journalists, doctors, and nurses were recurring crimes committed over the past 15 months. These actions aimed both to erase Palestine and to break the spirit of resistance.

 

During these 15 months, the factors emboldening the Zionist regime in its genocide against Palestinians were the comprehensive and direct military, financial, and political support provided by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and several other Western countries.

 

These nations ensured the impunity of the leaders of this regime and obstructed effective actions by the United Nations to stop the crimes of the occupying regime. They also disrupted international efforts, including those within the framework of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, to hold criminals accountable and impose punishments. Undoubtedly, these countries, as accomplices to the crimes committed by the Zionist regime, must be held accountable.

 

It is hoped that, with this new development and through the support of the international community and the effective role of responsible international actors, we will witness the full implementation of the agreed arrangements, including a complete cessation of genocide and killings in Gaza, the full withdrawal of occupying forces, comprehensive and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza, the immediate start of the reconstruction process in the region, and alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s resilient and patient people.

 

Alongside halting the genocide in Gaza, the international community must pay increased attention and sensitivity to the gross violations of international law, humanitarian law, and human rights in the West Bank, as well as the ongoing aggression by the occupying regime against Al-Aqsa Mosque. It must seriously and effectively confront the Zionist regime’s aggression throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and take the necessary steps to arrest, prosecute, and punish the criminal leaders of the Israeli regime for committing the gravest international crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

 

We salute the noble martyrs of resistance against oppression, aggression, occupation, and the genocide committed by the Zionist regime—especially martyrs like Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, Seyed Hashem Safieddine, and thousands of Palestinian, Lebanese, Iraqi, Yemeni, and Iranian fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sacred cause of Palestine and to defend the region against the expansionism, lawlessness, and crimes of the Israeli regime. We also extend our greetings and blessings to the broader resistance family and reaffirm our commitment to continuing their just and rightful path.