Tehran accuses US of impeding establishment of ceasefire in Gaza
Dec 25, 2023
Tehran [Iran], December 25: The United States is impeding the establishment of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and "tying the hands" of the international community by using its veto power in international organizations, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani told Sputnik.
"As regards a ceasefire, Iran has made efforts so that international organisations establish a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible. However, unfortunately, these organisations have failed to accomplish this task. The US has veto power in the UN, and using this power, Washington has freed Israel's hands in continuing military activities in Gaza," Kanaani said.
Tehran, for its part, has been in close contact with the Qatari authorities on the matter of establishing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip since the very beginning of the escalation of the Hamas-Israel conflict, the spokesman recalled.
"I certainly cannot predict whether a ceasefire will be established or not, but in my opinion, right now all the countries of the world, except for the US and Israel, are seeking to establish a ceasefire in Palestine. However, Washington, as a veto-holding power, has tied the hands of the international community in resolving
this issue," Kanaani told Sputnik.
On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians.
As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.
Over 20,400 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.
Source: Qatar Tribune
