Iran calls on Israel to fully lift Gaza siege

The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammad Khazaee on Thursday used stark rhetoric condemning Israel's raid on the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, calling it a "barbaric" and "well orchestrated terrorist act," and called on Israel to lift "fully siege of Gaza" and reopen all crossings to Gaza so that humanitarian aid can be shipped into the territory.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in New York, Khazaee acknowledged the Human Rights Council's resolution to send an independent international probe into the incident, urging the investigation to be conducted "expeditiously and quickly." The Council adopted the resolution Wednesday by a vote of 32 in favor, three against with nine abstentions.

The Iranian representative praised Nicaragua's decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and called on all states to follow suit. "Support to this regime is equal to the support for the occupation, massacre, assassination and violation of human rights," he said.

Meanwhile, Khazaee also called for an immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade on Gaza and the efforts to provide "expeditiously humanitarian aid to Gaza through whatever means and whatever path either land, sea or air."

Israel faces international condemnation following its military attack early Monday morning on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla in the Mediterranean. The Israeli navy backed with helicopters raided the vessel with live ammunition and gas bombs, resulting in some 10 deaths and over 30 activists on board to be injured, according to local media.

Source: Xinhua