Iran hails Gaza cease-fire deal as ‘historic victory’ for Palestinians
Qatar confirms Gaza cease-fire deal, which is set to come into effect on Sunday

ANKARA
Iran welcomed on Thursday a cease-fire deal to end Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, calling it a “historic victory” for Palestinians.
“This agreement is the result of the unparalleled resistance, courage, bravery, and endurance of the great people of Palestine and Gaza in the face of one of the largest genocides and population displacements in history,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“It is also the outcome of the solidarity and unity of the people of Gaza with the honorable resistance and their steadfastness against the forced displacement of Palestinians,” it added.
Iran said Israel “blatantly, systematically, and extensively violated fundamental international principles, human rights, and humanitarian laws, committing the most severe war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“The insane killing of people, especially women, and children, the destruction of homes and vital infrastructure, the demolition of hospitals and schools, attacks on refugee camps and tents, and the targeting of journalists, doctors, and nurses were recurring patterns of crimes committed over the past 15 months, aimed at erasing Palestine and breaking the spirit of resistance,” it added.
It accused the US, the UK, Germany, and other Western countries of emboldening Israel to continue its genocidal war on Gaza through their "comprehensive and direct military, financial, and political support.”
“The international community must seriously and effectively confront the tyranny of the (Israeli) Zionist regime throughout occupied Palestine and prepare the grounds for the arrest, trial, and punishment of the criminal leaders of the Israeli regime for committing the most severe international crimes.”
Qatar announced on Wednesday a cease-fire agreement to end over 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, where more than 46,700 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 110,000 others injured since Oct. 7, 2023.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the 3-phase deal will come into effect on Sunday.
The deal includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The Israeli war on Gaza has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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