Iran condemns Israeli "aggression" in Gaza, Lebanon

TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Friday condemned Israel's "acts of aggression" in Gaza and Lebanon, accusing Israel of "war crimes" and criticizing international inaction.

Baghaei reacted in a ministry statement to deadly Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday and pointed to the "continuation of Israeli aggressions against Lebanon's sovereignty," the statement said.

Baghaei described Israel's siege of Gaza, prevention of aid entry, and attacks on camps housing displaced Palestinians as "clear instances of war crimes."

The spokesman stated that the United States and some European nations providing arms to Israel "are accomplices in the Israeli crimes."

Baghaei also denounced ongoing Israeli "aggressions" against Lebanon's sovereignty, citing violations of ceasefire agreements, airstrikes, and drone attacks.

He highlighted the responsibility of the United Nations and ceasefire agreement guarantors to stop these Israeli actions, according to the statement.

Almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,200 others injured since Israel renewed its air and ground assaults on March 18 across Gaza, while the total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has topped 51,000, according to recent data by Gaza-based health authorities. Israel has also blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. ■