Iran roundly condemns Israeli airstrikes

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194777.html

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has strongly condemned Israel's new round of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that killed and injured several Palestinians.

Mehmanparast said that Israel launched airstrikes to shift the blame onto others for its own problems and to divert public opinion away from the situation in the occupied lands ahead of the International Quds Day.

He called on international organizations, especially human rights bodies, to condemn the Israeli crimes and to use everything within their power to stop the repetition of such attacks.

At least sixteen Palestinians have been killed and dozens left injured over the past two days by Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

The airstrikes began on Thursday, shortly after eight Israelis were killed near the Red Sea resort town of Eilat.

Israeli officials have blamed a Gaza-based militant group called the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) for Thursday's incident and have vowed a “full force” response targeting Gaza.

Israel said the attackers had infiltrated from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, although the PRC, which is not affiliated with Hamas, has denied involvement in the incident.

Hamas has said that it had nothing to do with the assault and has warned against any act of aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The International Quds Day is observed on the last Friday of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, during which Muslims across the world hold rallies in support of Palestinians.