Iran is against Hamas disarmament

Baku, Azerbaijan, July 29

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticized efforts on disarmament of Palestinian armed groups including Hamas.

"All the world, in particular Islamic countries should help to arming Palestinians, Khamenei reiterated while addressing to Eid-ul-Fitr congregational prayers in Tehran," Iran's IRINN State TV reported on July 29.

Khamenei's remarks came in respond to the US officials' statements on necessity of Hamas disarmament.

On July 28, the US Secretary of State John Kerry said that international efforts to agree a truce between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza must lead to the disarmament of Hamas.

"We believe that any process to resolve the crisis in Gaza in a lasting and meaningful way must lead to the disarmament of Hamas and all terrorist groups," Kerry underlined.

Earlier On July 23, Khamenei stated that the only solution for the region is the destruction of Israel, and that the armed confrontation must expand beyond Gaza.

"We believe that the West Bank should also be armed like Gaza and those who are interested in Palestine's destiny should act in this regard," Khamenei emphasized.

In his Eid-ul-Fitr speech Khamenei also marked the Gaza crisis as prime issue of the Islamic world and said that the humanity should react to the case.

Since July 7, Israel has attacked the Palestinian coastal territory with air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.

Israel's military operation has left at least 1000 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians.

The Israeli army said at least 43 Israeli soldiers have been killed in operations, while three civilians were killed during rocket attacks on Israel.

Earlier, the UN's top human rights official, Navi Pillay, condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza. She also condemned Islamic militant group, Hamas for "indiscriminate attacks" on Israel.