Leader urges trial of Israeli authorities
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R) receives Hamas political leader, Khaled Mashaal.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution calls for progress in investigations into Israel’s war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.
"It is important to follow up on the issue of bringing leaders of the Zionist regime [of Israel] to trial because they committed war crimes [during their recent military campaign against the besieged Gaza]," Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in a Sunday meeting with Hamas political leader, Khaled Mashaal, in Tehran.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised the victory of Gazans and the Islamic resistance against Israel in the 23-day onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
The Leader further said that the war on Gaza was not over yet, adding that the western-backed media has waged a psychological war on the costal strip in an attempt to distort the truth about Hamas and the Islamic resistance.
"Explicit expression of the Islamic resistance and the Palestinian people’s adamant stance is the only way to confront enemies," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader called on the Palestinians to remain vigilant and be prepared for all possibilities - even the possibility of new attacks that could come at any time.
Ayatollah Khamenei urged the swift reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza and expressed Iran’s readiness to help Palestinians and to contribute to the rebuilding efforts.
During the meeting Mashaal briefed the Leader on Israel’s 23-day incursion into the Gaza Strip and hailed the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation for their political and moral support for Palestinians.
On December 27, 2008 Israel launched an operation against the Gaza Strip killing more than 1,330 Palestinians and wounding almost 5,500 others.
Israel declared a unilateral truce on January 18, without achieving the objectives set by Tel Aviv. Hamas also announced an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, declaring victory over Israel.
Also on Sunday, a number of former captives - held by oppressive powers like Israel and the former Baath regime of Iraq - also met with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised the former prisoners for enduring bitter and arduous conditions in captivity, and added that "you made a big achievement through your resistance and patience."
The Leader also said that the US and Israel, which once thought they were the strongest powers in the world, are now weakened and their hegemony nears its end.
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