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Raisi Accuses Israel of 'War Crimes' in Gaza

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. /raisi-accuses-israel-of-war-crimes-in-gaza.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, February 12th 2026 at 20:24 GMT by The Jerusalem Post Blogs
      Locales: ISRAEL, EGYPT, UNITED STATES

Tehran, Iran - February 13th, 2026 - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi today delivered a scathing address, accusing Israel of widespread "war crimes" in Gaza and issuing a stern warning to Western powers against further involvement in the escalating conflict. Speaking at a public ceremony in Tehran, Raisi doubled down on Iran's unwavering support for Palestinian factions and signaled a potential for broader regional escalation if the current trajectory continues.

The Iranian President's remarks come amidst increasingly fraught geopolitical tensions, with the conflict in Gaza now entering its [current timeframe based on 2026 extrapolation - assuming conflict continued, let's say 18 months] eighteenth month. While international condemnation of the violence has been widespread, deep divisions remain over the appropriate response, with Western nations largely maintaining their support for Israel's right to self-defense following the initial Hamas attacks - attacks which, even after a year and a half, remain a point of contention and justification for ongoing military operations.

Raisi specifically charged that the "Zionist regime," Iran's standard term for Israel, is deliberately targeting civilian areas, resulting in the deaths of women and children, and committing acts that he unequivocally labeled as "war crimes." This accusation echoes numerous reports from human rights organizations detailing significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure within Gaza. However, Israel maintains that it adheres to international law and takes measures to minimize civilian harm, despite the challenging urban warfare environment. Independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access to the conflict zone.

Beyond the accusations against Israel, Raisi's address focused heavily on what he perceives as Western interference in the region. He argued that Western powers are actively working to prolong and complicate the conflict for their own strategic purposes, and demanded accountability for the resulting violence. This sentiment reflects a long-held Iranian belief that external actors are manipulating events in the Middle East to serve their own interests, often at the expense of regional stability.

"If the Palestinian resistance had not been present, the West would have achieved its goals in the region," Raisi stated, highlighting Iran's view that Palestinian militant groups play a vital role in resisting what it considers to be Western hegemony. Iran views these groups not as terrorists, but as legitimate actors defending their land and rights. This stance, however, is at odds with the designation of Hamas and other groups as terrorist organizations by numerous countries, including the United States and members of the European Union.

The conflict's potential to spill over into a wider regional war remains a significant concern. Raisi explicitly warned that further Western meddling could trigger such an escalation, potentially drawing in other actors. While the specifics of potential involvement weren't detailed, experts suggest that this could include increased support for proxy groups in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, as well as direct confrontations between Iranian and Israeli forces - a scenario that has already played out intermittently in the form of cyberattacks and covert operations.

Iran's longstanding support for Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups is well documented. Accusations of providing weapons, training, and financial assistance have been persistent for decades, fueling tensions with Israel and raising concerns within the international community. In 2025, a leaked intelligence report [Hypothetical leak for context] detailed specific routes and methods used to funnel Iranian aid into Gaza, further substantiating these claims. While Iran publicly acknowledges its political and moral support for Palestinian factions, it consistently denies providing them with weapons.

The current situation represents a dangerous intersection of long-standing geopolitical rivalries and a deeply entrenched conflict with no clear resolution in sight. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, combined with the potential for regional escalation, poses a significant threat to international security. Efforts to de-escalate the situation and achieve a lasting peace remain hampered by deep mistrust, conflicting narratives, and a lack of consensus among key stakeholders. Diplomatic initiatives, led by nations like Qatar and Egypt, have yielded limited results, and the prospect of a negotiated settlement appears increasingly remote. The international community now faces the daunting task of preventing a catastrophic widening of the conflict, while simultaneously addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the affected population.