Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that killed over 300 Palestinians, warning of threats to regional stability and ceasefire with Hamas. The strikes during Ramadan were termed a ‘horrific act of aggression’, which could destabilize the region further. Calls for international diplomatic intervention to cease violence and support peace efforts have been reiterated.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 Palestinians, including women and children. The attacks have heightened fears regarding regional instability and threaten to disrupt the ongoing ceasefire with Hamas that has prevailed since January.
The Pakistani Foreign Office characterized the airstrikes as a “horrific act of aggression” occurring during the sacred month of Ramadan, asserting it as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement. The statement elaborated on the dangerous escalation this aggression represents, potentially destabilizing the region once more.
This latest onslaught disrupted a brief period of calm amid Ramadan, invoking concerns over the fate of approximately two dozen Israeli hostages believed to be held by Hamas. The ongoing conflict, which has endured for 17 months, previously resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian fatalities and extensive devastation in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the airstrikes by citing stalled negotiations to prolong the ceasefire. The White House expressed its support for Israel’s actions after being consulted on the matter. In opposition, a senior Hamas official asserted that Netanyahu’s decision represents a “death sentence” for the hostages, accusing him of initiating the strikes to bolster his far-right coalition’s standing.
The Pakistani Foreign Office urged the international community to intervene, advocating for an immediate cessation of violence and the renewal of diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The conflict escalated following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 individuals, while the subsequent fighting has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants, leaving significant destruction in its wake. The two sides had briefly agreed to a six-week truce on January 19 to facilitate the release of hostages on both sides.
In summary, the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have drawn severe condemnation from Pakistan, highlighting concerns over potential regional instability. Characterized as a significant violation of the ceasefire, these actions threaten to reignite a prolonged conflict. The international call for diplomatic resolution indicates a strong desire for lasting peace amidst ongoing violence in the region.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
