Iran accused of instigating Gaza violence
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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Israel's President Shimon Peres has accused Iran of encouraging the Palestinians to continue rocket attacks on Israel rather than negotiating a ceasefire, saying "they are out of their mind." At the same time, Mr Peres praised Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi for the constructive role he has played in the intensifying crisis.
"The unpleasant one is the Iranians. They are trying again to encourage the Hamas to continue the shooting, the bombing, they [are] trying to send them arms," Mr Peres said on Monday in interview on CNN.
Mr Peres said Israel had no choice but to wage its offensive against Hamas in Gaza despite the rising civilian casualties, citing what he said were 1,200 missiles fired from the territory in the past six days.
"In one minute, if they stop shooting, there won't be any casualties," he said.
