Iran's Zarif Speaks With Hamas Chief, Pledges Support

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN (AA ) - Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spoke over the phone with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on late Monday to discuss latest developments in occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry said the two discussed Israeli aggression on Palestinians, particularly attacks on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Zarif "expressed solidarity" with the people of Palestine and emphasized Iran's "continued support" for the resistance forces in the occupied territories, the statement said.

Earlier on Monday, Zarif in a Twitter post denounced Israeli atrocities on the Palestinian land.

"It wasn't enough for the Israeli regime to - steal people's land & homes; create an apartheid regime; refuse to vaccinate civilians under illegal occupation," he wrote.

"It had to shoot innocent worshippers inside Islam's 3rd holiest mosque upon Islam's Holiest Eid."

According to the Palestine Red Crescent, at least 305 people were injured on Monday as Israeli forces fired rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinians who were on guard to prevent possible raids by extremist Jews.

Tensions have run high in the Sheikh Jarrah area since last week as Israeli settlers swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families.

Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targeted by Israeli forces. Hundreds of protesters have been injured in the process.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognized by the international community.​​​​​​​ -