Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls for Immediate Halt to Israeli Actions in Gaza

Israel has declared its intention to eliminate the Hamas movement in Gaza, which is backed by Tehran. This decision followed an incursion by Hamas terrorists into Israel on October 7, resulting in the deadliest day in the country’s 75-year history, with 1,300 people killed, primarily civilians.

Addressing a group of students in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of the bombardment of Gaza, stating, “No one can confront Muslims and the resistance forces if the Zionist regime’s crimes against Palestinians continue.” His speech was met with chants of “Death to Israel.”

Support for the Palestinian cause has been a fundamental aspect of the Islamic Republic’s identity since the 1979 revolution, positioning the Shiite-dominated nation as a leader in the Muslim world.

While Israel, a country not recognized by Tehran, has long accused Iran’s clerical leadership of fueling violence by supplying arms to Hamas, Iran maintains that it provides moral and financial support to the group.

Khamenei called for a response to the situation in Gaza and urged that Israeli officials be held accountable for their “crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.”

Israel’s ongoing air strikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of more than 2,800 Palestinians, a quarter of whom are children, and have forced approximately half of the 2.3 million Gazans from their homes. The blockade imposed by Israel has led to severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medical resources, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.