TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denounced the ongoing war crimes and the brutal massacre of Palestinians, especially innocent children, by Zionist forces in the Gaza Strip.

Nasser Kanaani made the remarks in a message on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.

The message comes amidst escalating tensions and violence in the region, prompting renewed international concern.

According to official Palestinian sources cited in the message, the death toll from the conflict since October 7 has tragically climbed to 38,153 individuals, with an alarming 87,828 wounded. The toll includes a significant number of innocent civilians, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

The message further highlighted the dire situation with more than 10,000 individuals still missing and buried under rubble, reflecting the widespread devastation and loss caused by recent military actions. Additionally, the spokesperson noted with sorrow that in the past 12 hours alone, five journalists lost their lives in Gaza, bringing the total number of journalists killed to 158, as they bravely reported on the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.

Iran's Foreign Ministry also criticized nations that openly support the Zionist regime while purportedly championing human rights principles. The spokesperson condemned such nations for what was described as shameless interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, a move seen as exacerbating tensions and prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The spokesperson concluded by emphasizing that those complicit in supporting Zionist atrocities in Gaza would forever carry a stain on their reputations. 

Kanaani also called for immediate international action to address the crisis and uphold the principles of justice and humanitarianism.

The situation in Gaza continues to draw international attention and calls for urgent diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Israel's ongoing actions in the besieged enclave have drawn widespread global condemnation.

UN agencies warn that over one million Palestinians in Gaza could face severe starvation by mid-July as the hunger crisis worsens due to Israel's continued blockade of humanitarian aid.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the dire and chaotic conditions in Gaza, describing the situation as "total lawlessness."

More than eight months into the conflict, large areas of Gaza lie in ruins, with a crippling blockade affecting the supply of food, clean water, and medicine.