Ceasefire shows Israel's defeat in Gaza, says Iran official

Tehran, Jan 18 (IANS) A senior official at Iran's presidential office Sunday said that the unilateral ceasefire announced by Israel in Gaza was an admission of defeat, IRNA reported.

Ali-Reza Zaker Isfahani, chairman of the Strategic Studies, said Israel's unilateral ceasefire indicated its absolute defeat.

'This (unilateral truce) shows the Zionist (Israel's) regime is no longer capable of pursuing its vicious goals in the besieged area,' the official said.

He said the objective behind Tel Aviv's atrocities in Gaza was 'to destroy a generation and help another survive'.

'Israel would never be proud of its war on Gaza as Palestinian resistance would someday annihilate the Zionist regime's false glory,' he added.

He also criticised Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan for their silence over Israeli atrocities in Gaza. 'The three Arab states have indeed supported the oppressor,' he said.

Israel late Saturday announced a unilateral ceasefire to end its 22-day war against Hamas-led militant groups in Gaza. More than 1,000 people have been killed and over 5,000 others injured, mostly women and children, since the Israeli operation began on Dec 27.