State-organized rallies were held across Iran on Friday in support of Tehran’s Palestinian Islamist ally Hamas and against the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the blockaded Gaza Strip, state TV reported.
Israel’s military on Friday called for all civilians of Gaza City — more than 1 million people — to relocate south within 24 hours, as it amassed tanks for an expected ground offensive in response to a devastating attack by Hamas militants.
“Death to Israel. Death to Zionism!” shouted Iranian demonstrators, many carrying Palestinian flags and those of the powerful Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in countries around the Middle East and beyond on Friday in support of Palestinians and condemnation of Israel as it intensified its siege of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel has been pounding Gaza with air strikes and artillery fire since the deadliest ever Hamas attack on Israel last weekend.
Tehran’s state television described the Iranian rallies as “screams of a common pain … The pain of the Zionist regime’s (Israel) trampling on humanity.”
However, the Islamic Republic’s government’s unwavering support for Hamas and other militant Palestinian and Lebanese groups does not have wide popular support in Iran. Many complain that the large sums of financial aid Tehran gives to Hamas and Hezbollah are more needed for economic development at home.
Backing the Palestinian cause has been a political pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and a way in which its Shiite Muslim theocracy has fashioned Iran as a leader in the Muslim world.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was in Beirut on Friday to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Hezbollah.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked protests and rallies around the world, with Iran showing its support for the Palestinian cause. On Friday, state-organized rallies were held across Iran, with thousands of demonstrators expressing their solidarity with Hamas and condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The rallies were marked by chants of “Death to Israel. Death to Zionism!” as Iranian protesters carried Palestinian flags and those of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group. The demonstrations in Iran were part of a larger wave of protests in the Middle East and beyond, with people coming together to support the Palestinians and denounce Israel’s intensified siege of Gaza.
Israel’s military has called for all civilians in Gaza City to relocate south within 24 hours, as it prepares for a ground offensive in response to a devastating attack by Hamas militants. The Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire have been ongoing since the deadliest ever Hamas attack on Israel last weekend.
While the Iranian government continues to support Hamas and other militant Palestinian and Lebanese groups, this stance does not have widespread popular support within Iran. Many Iranians believe that the financial aid provided to these groups would be better used for economic development at home.
However, backing the Palestinian cause has been a longstanding political pillar of the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It has allowed Iran to position itself as a leader in the Muslim world and solidify its influence in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was in Beirut on Friday to discuss the Israel-Hamas war with Hezbollah, further demonstrating Iran’s commitment to supporting its allies.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has once again highlighted the deep-rooted tensions in the region and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian statehood. As the international community calls for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, it is clear that the situation remains highly volatile.
In conclusion, the rallies in Iran and across the world reflect the strong emotions and divisions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Iran’s government continues to support Hamas, there are differing opinions within the country regarding this stance. As the conflict continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in order to achieve a lasting peace in the region.