20/10/2025
Iran Strongly Condemns Israel's "Repeated Violations" of Gaza Ceasefire
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Saturday (October 18) strongly condemned Israel for its "repeated violations" of the ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In his statement, Baghaei specifically condemned Israel's attack on Friday night (October 17) local time on a bus carrying a Palestinian family returning to northern Gaza, which killed 11 people, including seven children and two women, and Israel's refusal to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Baghhaei highlighted Israel's track record of repeatedly breaking its promises and violating various ceasefire agreements, while reminding the guarantor countries of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, namely the United States, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, to fulfill their responsibilities in this regard.
The spokesman also called on the international community to take effective action to pressure Israel to halt its "crimes" in Gaza, withdraw its forces from the territory, and ensure Gazans have access to food and other basic necessities.
The war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7, 2023, after a surprise attack by Hamas forces on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza have since killed more than 67,000 people and injured approximately 170,000 others, according to Gaza health authorities.
A ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US went into effect on October 10. The first phase of the agreement included the exchange of prisoners and hostages, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Under the agreement, Israel received all 20 surviving hostages and 10 of the 28 bodies that Hamas was demanding be returned.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Rafah crossing to remain closed until further notice, according to a statement issued by his office on Saturday, adding that "the reopening of the crossing will be considered based on Hamas's fulfillment of its obligations regarding the return of the hostages' bodies and the implementation of the agreed framework."
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued to launch attacks on Palestinians in recent days, resulting in several casualties.
