Israeli tanks and infantry battled Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, hours after launching a ground offensive after eight days of deadly air strikes failed to halt the Islamist group's rocket attacks on Israel.
"The Zionists faced the powerful resistance of the zealous Palestinians … the Zionists should know that Gaza will become their graveyard," Mehr News Agency quoted speaker Ali Larijani as telling parliament.
MPs shouted "down with Israel, down with the Zionists," Mehr reported. Larijani's comments were the first reaction by a senior Iranian figure to Israel's offensive into Gaza.
Iran does not recognise Israel, which has accused Tehran of supplying Hamas with weapons. Iran denies the allegation, saying it provides only moral support to the group.
Israel's attacks on Gaza have sparked repeated protests in Tehran and elsewhere in Iran, mainly by students. Iranian officials have condemned what they say is international inaction and bias towards Israel. (Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; Writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Tim Pearce)
