Hamas chief, Iranian foreign minister discuss developments in Gaza

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - The Hamas group's political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed developments late Saturday in the ongoing fighting between Palestinian groups and Israel, according to a statement.

The meeting in the Qatari capital of Doha saw the two men agree to "continue cooperation to achieve all goals of the Palestinian resistance and people."

The statement by Hamas said the Iranian top diplomat reviewed his regional tour and meetings with officials about the fighting between Palestinians and Israel.

Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s support to the Palestinian people and its resistance in the face of the Israeli crimes, it said.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Doha early Saturday and met top officials. He also visited Lebanon and Syria where his meetings focused on the latest developments in Gaza.

Iran is considered a main supporter of Hamas and is accused by Western countries and Israel of providing weapons to the resistance group and other Palestinian groups.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip one week ago in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began Oct. 7, when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.

More than 3,500 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Oct. 7, including 2,215 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.