Iran, Iraq Urge OIC Emergency Meeting over Palestine
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the latest developments in Palestine as the Israeli regime is pounding the Gaza Strip.
In a telephone conversation on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein talked about the latest developments in Palestine.
The two sides emphasized the need for coordination and solidarity among the Islamic nations in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.
They also urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to hold an emergency meeting to review the current developments in Palestine and provide support for the Palestinian nation and the Al-Aqsa Mosque against the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed the legitimate right of the Palestinian nation to resist aggression and occupation.
Amirabdollahian also stated that the spontaneous operations of the Palestinian resistance groups are a natural response to the continuous aggression and extreme actions of the Zionist regime against Islamic holy sites and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the continuation of the crimes and killings against the Palestinian nation, especially women, children and prisoners.
He further called for a coordinated and effective action by the Islamic countries to help Palestine and put an end to the Zionist regime’s aggressive attacks against Palestinian women and children in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Zionist regime has pounded the besieged Gaza Strip for a second night in a row after formally declaring war against the Palestinian Hamas group. Its military says some 100,000 reserve troops have amassed near Gaza.
Fierce fighting is continuing between the Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces in at least three areas in southern parts of the occupied territories, including a kibbutz in Karmia and in the cities of Ashkelon and Sderot.
The latest death toll stands at 413 Palestinians, according to health officials, and more than 700 Israelis, according to media reports.
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said they are holding more than 130 people captive inside Gaza.
Hamas’s surprise operation came after Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in recent days and a record numbers of Palestinians were killed by Israel in recent months.