President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger has expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, appreciating Iran’s contributions to the Geneva-based humanitarian organization.

According to The Iran Project, she made the remarks in a Thursday meeting with Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, who is in New York to participate in two United Nations Security Council meetings.

Egger elaborated on efforts being made by the ICRC in order to send humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population there, stressing she will do her utmost for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.

For his part, Bagheri Kani praised the ICRC’s efforts regarding Palestine and Gaza, describing the humanitarian conditions of oppressed Palestinians as very worrying.

“Unfortunately, politically-motivated and wrong approaches together with double standards have so far frustrated attempts aimed at ending the Gaza crisis.

“Regrettably, over 20 individuals get killed and injured in Gaza every hour. What has taken place is a humanitarian tragedy. The international community must quickly stop the Zionist regime and hold it accountable,” the top Iranian diplomat stated.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories. The regime has been enforcing a near-total siege on the coastal territory, which has reduced the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water into the Palestinian territory into a trickle.

Israel has killed nearly 39,000 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents, since. 

UN deputy humanitarian chief hails Iran’s constructive role

Meanwhile, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Masoya lauded Iran’s “constructive” role in humanitarian issues and stressed the need for enhancement of cooperation between the two sides.

Masoya made the remark during a meeting with Bagheri Kani in New York on Thursday, on the sidelines of two United Nations Security Council meetings.

She called for greater efforts in order to stop the Gaza war, and end the current alarming situation in the war-ravaged territory.

Bagheri Kani, for his part, described the massacre of innocent Palestinians in Gaza as a clear example of genocide of Palestinians and their forced displacement.

He also called upon the international community to shed light on such crimes, and take immediate measures to stop them.

“The continuation of the current situation is no more acceptable. The Zionist regime’s attacks and attempts to displace the people of Gaza must cease right away,” he said.