Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved aid to victims in Iran and Iraq after an earthquake killed hundreds and injured thousands in the Middle Eastern countries on Sunday.
Netanyahu spoke Tuesday via satellite to the Jewish Federations General Assembly, a conference focused on Jewish philanthropy across the globe and held in Los Angeles.
“I saw these heartbreaking images of men and women and children buried under the rubble,” Netanyahu said. “I’m proud to announce tonight that a few hours ago I directed that we offer the Red Cross medical assistance for the Iraqi and Iranian victims of this disaster.”
“Now you heard me right. I’ve said many times that we have no quarrel with the people of Iran. Our quarrel is only with the tyrannical regime that holds them hostage and threatens our destruction,” Netanyahu added, referencing decades of hostility and conflict between the countries. “But our humanity is greater than their hatred.”
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the border of Iran and Iraq, resulting in the death of more than 450 people and injuring more than 7,000. The quake is the deadliest of 2017, surpassing a September earthquake in Mexico that killed about 360.
About 70,000 people need shelter after more than 12,000 residential buildings were leveled in the disaster, according to BBC.
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