In some of his harshest criticism so far of the war in Gaza, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized Israel’s policy of “exterminating” Palestinians and called its actions “genocide.”

During an Aug. 4 speech at the Committee for Palestine at the Non-Aligned Movement, Rouhani said, “I hope this meeting is a valued opportunity to review the current developments in occupied Palestine, especially the situation in Gaza, and for all the members to find practical ways to assist these brave and oppressed people imprisoned in a colonial ring.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, the Zionist regime, during the last few weeks and during Ramadan, trampling the principles of humanity and international law … and using the most advanced weapons in an unjust and disproportionate war, has severely and mercilessly attacked Palestinian land and the Gaza Strip.

“The violent invasion of the child-killing regime is true to the form of its deliberate and planned permanent policy, meaning the killing and genocide of a people by widespread and open killing of civilians and destroying civilian centers.