U.S a 'definite accomplice' in Israeli 'crimes', says Iranian leader Khamenei

Iran's supreme leader says the United States is an accomplice in Israeli airstrikes that have killed thousands of Palestinians.

"America is a definite accomplice of the criminals. In this crime, America's hands is covered with the blood of the oppressed, the children, the ill and the women up to the elbow. In fact it is America that is somehow orchestrating the crimes being committed in Gaza," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said to an audience in Tehran.

The war, in its 19th day Wednesday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 6,500 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 704 in the past day, and 16,297 wounded.

The figure includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital last week.

The Associated Press couldn't independently verify the death tolls cited by Hamas, which says it tallies figures from hospital directors.

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