Iran calls for war crimes for Israel

TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Iranian leaders Monday said they would urge the United Nations to bring Israeli leaders before an international court over the latest attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched a major military incursion at the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip during the weekend in retaliation for a cease-fire termination by the militant group. Hamas receives backing from Iran, Syria and other regimes.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for immediate legal action against Israeli leaders for the humanitarian crisis and death of innocent civilians in the Palestinian territory, the official Islamic Republic News Agency said.

Most of the casualties were from Hamas leadership, though U.N. officials said around 60 of the reported 300 deaths were civilian.

The Iranian president said those involved in the attacks in the Gaza Strip "should be designated as a war criminal and murderer."

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the government in Tehran was preparing to nominate a delegation of top officials to carry the Iranian message on Israeli to foreign leaders.

Heads of state from around the world called on both sides to show restraint in the worst outbreak of violence since the birth of Israel in 1948.