By Anadolu staff
ISTANBUL, (AA) - Shia cleric and leader of Iraq’s Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, has called on Arab and Islamic nations to march in peaceful protests to the border with Palestine and remain there until Israel’s siege is lifted.
The call came during Al-Sadr's speech on Thursday, amid Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has also barred all humanitarian and medical aid and continued airstrikes on residential buildings and health facilities over the last two weeks, the official Iraqi news agency INA reported.
Al-Sadr was quoted by the news agency as saying: "Based on my belief in the Palestinian cause, especially its humanitarian aspect, and my certainty that the cause still holds a great value in the hearts of the Arab and Muslim peoples, I, therefore, call the Muslim and Arab nations for a peaceful public gathering from all countries."
He added that he is calling to act now, "after the dangerous, tragic situation facing the people of Gaza, including the cutting of water, electricity, and medical supplies, the terrorist bombing of hospitals, and the killing of children, women, and civilians without justification."
Al-Sadr stressed the peaceful protests, calling for "sit-ins at the Palestinian borders, in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and even Jordan, without any weapons, and to stay until the siege is lifted, and enough (aid) is delivered to our people, in Gaza, both north and south."
Al-Sadr added “We will set a date for our gathering later in agreement with all parties, except governments and military authorities,” according to INA.
Last Friday, thousands of supporters of the Sadrist Movement gathered in Tahrir Square in the capital Baghdad, when Al-Sadr, in his Friday prayer sermon, called Israel a “terrorist” state.
Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip resumed early Friday morning, killing and injuring dozens of people.
According to the Palestinian Interior Ministry, six residences were destroyed in Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, in which at least "nine people were killed and more than 60 others were injured."
However, the Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that at least 21 people were killed and 79 others were injured in Israeli airstrikes, the majority of whom were children and women.
Earlier on Thursday night, at least eight Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a church in Gaza City.
According to the official Wafa news agency, Israeli jet fighters bombed the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, which was sheltering hundreds of Palestinians.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.