TEHRAN-Iranian traditional singer Mohammad Motamedi has released a single titled “Hope,” which is dedicated to the oppressed people of Gaza.

The newest track by Motamedi has lyrics by Sajad Samani and has been composed by Habib Khazaeifar, Mehr reported.

“Hope is clear. Hope is the source of light. Hope is from the sun. Hope is for me, for you, and for all those who have stood strongly for their right, their identity, and their country in the worst storms of this time including our martyrs and the likes of the helpless people of Gaza who have chosen to stay and die in their own land,” the singer has explained about the piece.

Despite the International Court of Justice ruling on Friday that Israel must do its utmost to limit death and destruction in Gaza, the Palestinian death toll has continued to climb.

Health authorities in Gaza said on Sunday that Israel's war on the besieged territory has killed at least 26,422 people and injured 65,087 since October 7. Israel is formally on trial at the ICJ for genocide against Palestinians.

The majority of Gaza's 2.3 million people are displaced and fight daily to find food, drink, and medicine. Some 45% of residential buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed since war erupted between Israel and Hamas over 100 days ago, leaving over 1 million people homeless, according to a World Bank study based on satellite images and media accounts.

According to data collected by the international body, over 60% of residential buildings in the Gaza Strip, or 132,590 structures, have been damaged amid the war, which has seen Israel bombard the enclave from land, air, and sea for more than three months.

Hundreds of schools, including those run by the UN, in the besieged Palestinian enclave, have been bombed, and students and teachers killed, in over three months of Israeli bombardment that has ravaged educational infrastructure and caused mental trauma to thousands of beleaguered students.

Motamedi, 45, started singing and playing ney (Middle-Eastern flute-like wind instrument) in adolescence. So far, he has collaborated with many local classical groups as well as the Iranian National Orchestra. He has released more than 15 albums and has held several performances in Iran, Italy, Poland, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, and the U.S.

He has a resume ranging from working with the great maestros of Iranian music such as Ali Rahbari, Mohammadreza Lotfi, Hossein Alizadeh, Majid Derakhshani, Farhad Fakhreddini, etc. as well as working with international figures and bands including Roger Waters and Rembrandt Trio.

SS/SAB