The Leader of the Islamic Revolution touched upon the hidden aspects of the Zionist plots behind the Gaza tragedy and added: "The arrogant powers are seeking to dominate the resource-rich Middle East. Muslim nations and governments must pay attention to this hidden agenda and respond appropriately."
His Eminence also touched upon the 33-day war in Lebanon and said that the US and Israel sought to subjugate the Middle East countries. "That dream did not come true. The courage, vigilance, and selflessness of the faithful Lebanese youth delivered a strong blow to the US, Israel, and all their supporters," he stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that western countries acknowledge that the Islamic Republic is the center and embodiment of resistance in the region. He added: "In order to break this resistance, the domineering powers have chosen the populist and democratically elected Hamas government as the target of their attacks."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution warned against the consequences of the Middle Eastern countries' indifference towards the current events in Gaza and stressed: "If the enemies of Islam win a victory at this stage, they will not leave the Middle East. The Islamic countries in this region and the neighboring Muslim countries that have withdrawn their support for the people of Palestine must realize the dangerous consequences of their mistake."
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his gratitude for the determination and vigilance of the Iranian people and their support for the people of Gaza and added: "I would like to thank the people, especially the faithful youth, who gathered at airports and showed their willingness to go to Gaza. However, it should be noted that there are limitations in this regard. Everyone must know that the Islamic Republic has not withdrawn any assistance for the people of Gaza and it will take all the necessary measures in this regard."
His Eminence described the efforts on the part of some Muslim countries to support the people of Gaza as positive but insufficient and stressed: "We must use all political means to force the enemy to retreat."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the tragedy in Gaza as a disgrace for those who claim to support human rights, further reiterating: "Each day many defenseless children and women are being killed in Gaza, but the UN, human right organizations, and western governments, especially European governments, have not voiced any opposition to this tragedy. This bitter truth is a testimony to the hypocrisy and deception on the part of the organizations and governments that claim to support human rights."
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his deep sorrow over the criticisms against the legitimate Hamas government by the intellectuals and news agencies of the world of Islam as well as their efforts to justify the Israeli crimes. He added: "These people will be held responsible by God for their complicity with the criminals. Fortunately, the determined efforts of the Iranian people and government have led to their praiseworthy support for the oppressed Palestinian people."
Elsewhere in his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the current events in Gaza will finally lead to the victory of good over evil and stressed: "The enemies cannot put an end to the Palestinian issue by causing such tragedies even if they kill each and every Hamas militant and Palestinian mujahid - who have put up strong resistance against the enemies' attacks. Relying on their experience, the Palestinian nation will undoubtedly grow much stronger than before. Palestinians will put up strong resistance against the enemies and will finally defeat them."