Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday the United States is a “definite accomplice” of Israel’s “crimes” in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement posted on the leader’s website.
At a meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran, Khamenei condemned those responsible for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the killing of civilians.
“The Americans have the blood of Gaza’s children, women and others on their hands up to their elbows. In fact, the Americans are directing these crimes,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.
Describing the pro-Palestinian rallies held around the world as manifestations of public anger and sorrow, Khamenei noted the “so-called advocates of freedom and human rights in Europe have banned protests in support of Palestinians, but people took to the streets, shouting their wrath, anger and sadness and nobody will be able to withhold peoples’ reaction to Israelis’ brutalities.”
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory, to which Israel responded with massive airstrikes and punitive measures, including a siege on the enclave with supplies of water, electricity, fuel, and other necessities being cut off.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has so far killed more than 6,500 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and more than 1,400 people in Israel.