Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 29
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Commander of the Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said that Iran will back the "Palestinian resistance movement until complete liberation of the Palestinian territory."
Following the ceasefire after seven weeks of war in Gaza, Jafari sent a message to Gazans and commanders of Hamas and congratulated them for what he called "great victory of resistance movement against the Israeli forces," Iran's official IRNA news agency reported Aug. 29.
"There is no doubt that the 51 days of resistance will be regarded as a turning point for collapse of Israel and all should double their strength and readiness for a prosperous future," the commander said.
Jafari also emphasized arming the West Bank referring to remarks by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On July 23, Khamenei stated that the only solution for the region is the destruction of Israel, and that the West Bank should also be armed like Gaza.
The IRGC commander underlined that "the volume, range and accuracy of the resistance movement's missiles should be increased."
The conflict in Gaza ended on Aug. 26 after Israel and the Palestinians agreed on an open-ended ceasefire under Egyptian mediation.
Israel launched a large-scale air, sea and ground military operation on July 8 against Gaza in response to rockets fired into its land from the coastal enclave. The Gaza health ministry said Israel has killed 2,140 Palestinians and wounded 11,100 others in its offensive.
On the other side, Israel said Gaza militants killed 69 Israelis, including 64 soldiers and five civilians.