Iran’s Khamenei calls on other nations to provide ‘military’ or ‘financial’ support to Gaza Strip

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on other Muslim countries to provide “military” or “financial” support to the Gaza Strip after a brutal 11-day conflict with Israel.

“Muslim states should earnestly enter the field to support the Palestinian nation in both military and financial aspects as well as for reconstructing infrastructures and rebuilding the ruins in #Gaza. Muslim nations should demand that their governments carry out this duty,” Khamenei tweeted.

Muslim states should earnestly enter the field to support the Palestinian nation in both military and financial aspects as well as for reconstructing infrastructures and rebuilding the ruins in #Gaza. Muslim nations should demand that their governments carry out this duty.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 21, 2021

The message comes as a cease-fire looks to quell renewed fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and other groups, following clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in East Jerusalem, began launching thousands of rockets at Israel last week. Israel responded with a punishing aerial and artillery campaign that devastated the enclave’s infrastructure. 

The fighting killed 243 people in Gaza, including 66 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. A dozen people, including two children, were killed in Israel.

Iran is a known backer of Hamas, with the Israeli military saying it provides both military supplies and experts to help bolster its arsenal. 

Khamenei said the recent round of fighting proved the strength of Hamas and other groups that also attacked Israel during the rocket launches. 

A cease-fire to stop the violence took place early Friday morning local time, though past cease-fires in previous rounds of violence have been broken.