By Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran says Palestinians in the Gaza Strip should be "equipped" to defend themselves against Israel.

But Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast refused to comment on Israeli allegations that Iran is already sending arms to Gaza, which has been under Israel's attack since last week in retaliation for rockets fired by Hamas into Israel.

At least 113 Palestinians have been killed - nearly half of them civilians.

Iran is a major supporter of the militant groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Mehmanparast also said on Tuesday that that Israel should be put on trial for war crimes over the latest offensive.

Iran has previously denied it had directly supplied Hamas with Iranian-made Fajr-5 missiles that have hit near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

 

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