"The continuation of and an increase in war crimes in Gaza, its blockade and targeting of residential areas, hospitals, and schools, as well as cutting off its water and electricity, amount to collective punishment and a systematic war crime," Amirabdollahian stated in a phone call with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday night.
He cautioned that the persistence of such a situation would further exacerbate the conflict, emphasizing that the Israeli regime must be held accountable for the resulting consequences.
Israeli energy minister Israel Katz revealed on Monday that he had directed authorities to sever the water supply to the Gaza Strip. "All the water supply pipes from Israel to the Gaza Strip have been disconnected," he added.
Amirabdollahian condemned Israel's war crimes in Gaza and the tightening of the siege, calling on Muslim and Arab countries to provide support to the Palestinian people. He also reiterated Iran's call for an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in response to Israel's indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties.
The Emirati minister, for his part, emphasized the crucial need for united backing for the Palestinian people and Gaza's civilians as they endure Israel's harsh attacks. Nahyan asserted that the United Nations and the International Red Cross should fulfill their obligations to aid the people of Gaza and establish secure passages for the injured to exit the region. He also mentioned his intention to raise the matter of convening an emergency session within the OIC with Arab nations.
In a separate telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, Amirabdollahian attributed the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip to Israel, which has left residents cut off from essential resources such as food, water, and electricity. He further expressed Iran's readiness to send humanitarian aid to the region.
The death toll in Gaza has now reached 1,200, with approximately 5,600 individuals reported as wounded, according to Palestinian media, citing Gaza's health ministry.