Iran says Israeli Gaza incursion genocide as Erakat laments world silence

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and called for international intervention to halt the latest operation as a senior Palestinian leader hit out at the world's silence over the bloody incursion.

"The genocide of Palestinians and violations of international laws by the Israelis means that action from the international community is needed to defend the defenceless people of Palestine," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted by the state news agency IRNA as saying.

"The brutal slaughter of innocent people in the Gaza Strip has further exposed the inhuman nature of the Zionist regime's leaders to the public," he said.

Palestinian negotiations minister Saeb Erakat told AFP the lack of international reaction to the Israeli onslaught of the Gaza Strip was encouraging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to continue the vast operation.

"The absence of international reaction is encouraging Ariel Sharon ...