Iranian Officials React to Deadly Clashes at Gaza Border

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has declared its 'support' for Palestinian protests, labeling the 'stabilization of Israel' and the security of this country as 'a futile and unattainable matter.' The special assistant to the Speaker of Parliament for international affairs also threatened that the 'massacre of the people of Gaza' would face a 'surprising response from Palestine and resistance groups.' Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned the 'massacre' of Palestinians while stating that Saudi Arabia's 'efforts to establish relations' with Israel have made the leaders of that country 'more brazen' in this crisis. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, had previously emphasized that his country has no relations with Israel. According to the IRNA news agency, the IRGC described the protest march along the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, April 10, as a sign of what it calls 'the accelerating process of drying up the cancerous tumor of Israel' from the region. The statement also referred to the 'stabilization of Israel and security-building' for this country as a 'false and unattainable dream.' The IRGC emphasized that 'as the powerful hand of the Iranian nation, it will spare no effort to assist the Muslim people of Palestine' and will 'activate available capacities to uphold the rights of dear Palestinians.' This statement from the IRGC comes as the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and several other countries have repeatedly condemned the threats of destruction against Israel by officials of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Zachi Hanegbi, Israel's Minister for Regional Cooperation, stated on Thursday, April 9, that Hamas, after re-establishing ties with Iran, has planned to 'reignite the situation' with 'guidance' from Tehran. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as Arab citizens of Israel, hold an annual protest on March 30, known as 'Land Day,' to commemorate the bloody protests of 1976. This year, Hamas and other Palestinian groups had long called for protests and gatherings to continue for six weeks in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel and the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem. According to Palestinian news sources, the death toll from the protests that began on Friday has reached 17, with over 1,400 injured. The UN Security Council expressed concern on Friday evening about the events at the Gaza border and the prospect of escalating this crisis, but the meeting did not result in a joint statement. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, described Israel's behavior as 'brutal.' The governments of Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey have also condemned Israel for the events of Friday. On the other hand, the Israeli army has warned that attacks on Gaza may expand from border areas to other parts of the strip. An Israeli army spokesperson stated on Saturday that if border violence continues, Israel will expand its response range to 'suppress extremists.'