Iran condemns Israel for "frequent violations" of ceasefire in Gaza

TEHRAN, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Saturday strongly condemned Israel for "frequent violations" of the ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Baghaei denounced in particular an Israeli attack Friday night on a bus carrying a Palestinian family to their home in northern Gaza, which killed 11 people, including seven children and two women, as well as Israel's refusal to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Baghaei pointed to Israel's track record of reneging on its promises and violating other ceasefire agreements, reminding the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, namely the United States, Egypt, Türkiye and Qatar, of their responsibility in that regard.

He also called on the international community to take effective actions to force Israel to stop its "crimes" in Gaza, pull its forces out of the area, and ensure Gazans' access to food and other essential goods.

The war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, after a surprise attack by Hamas's forces on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken captive. The ensuing Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people and injured around 170,000, according to Gaza's health authorities.

A ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States, went into effect on Oct. 10. Its first phase includes the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israel, under the agreement, has received all remaining 20 living hostages and 10 out of the 28 bodies that Hamas is obliged to return.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that the Rafah crossing remain closed until further notice, his office said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the crossing's "reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the bodies of the hostages and in implementing the agreed-upon framework."

Despite the ceasefire coming into effect, Israeli forces have continued to target Palestinians over the past days, killing several of them. ■