Ayatollah Khamenei’s Warning to Israel
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that if Israel continues its actions in Gaza, it will face an unstoppable force comprised of Muslims and resistance forces worldwide. Iran often refers to armed groups it supports in the Middle East as part of the Resistance Axis.
Khamenei’s Remarks on Gaza
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that if the “Zionist regime’s crimes against Palestinians” persist, it will become increasingly challenging for anyone to confront Muslims and the resistance forces. He called for an immediate halt to the bombardment of Gaza and suggested that officials from the Zionist regime should be held accountable for their actions in Gaza, which he described as “crimes.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Warning of ‘Preemptive Action’
These remarks by Ayatollah Khamenei come in the wake of statements from Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who warned that Iran could take “preemptive action” against Israel within hours if Israel does not cease its actions in Gaza. He emphasized that various options and scenarios have been considered, and resistance leaders are determined to prevent any Israeli actions in the region. Amirabdollahian stressed that while a chance for a political solution exists, “any action is possible” if Israel continues its activities in Gaza, which Iran categorizes as “war crimes.”
The Resistance Front’s Capabilities and Implications for Israel
The foreign minister highlighted the Resistance Front’s capacity for long-term conflicts with the enemy and suggested that the ongoing conflict’s expansion could significantly impact the map of Israel.
Israel’s Stance and Actions
In response to the conflict, Israel has made a vow to eradicate Hamas following an incident where the group’s gunmen killed 1,300 people, primarily civilians, in southern Israeli towns on October 7, marking the deadliest single day in Israel’s 75-year history. The situation has led to intensified bombardments of Gaza City, with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) advising residents in North Gaza to relocate to the southern part of the city as preparations for a ground invasion intensify.
Humanitarian Impact
The ongoing strikes have resulted in casualties, including over 2,800 Palestinians, a quarter of whom are children. Additionally, these conflicts have displaced approximately half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents from their homes. The region faces a dire humanitarian situation, with Israel imposing a total blockade that has led to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.