Across various regions of Pakistan today, hundreds of Pakistanis took to the streets to express their strong protest against the Israeli siege and intense bombing in the Gaza Strip. They demanded an immediate end to the oppression faced by the Palestinian people.
The Israeli military has been carrying out airstrikes on Gaza following a surprise offensive by the Hamas group on Saturday. This has resulted in Israel placing Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, under siege, while local authorities reported a high number of Palestinian casualties, with more than 1,500 Palestinians killed.
Israel has expressed its commitment to eliminating Hamas, but a ground invasion of Gaza poses a significant risk due to the presence of hostages kidnapped during the assault. Reports indicate that the Israeli death toll has risen to more than 1,300.
In response to Israel’s call for over one million civilians in Gaza City to relocate to the south within 24 hours, the UN has urged Israel to cancel this order, warning of severe humanitarian consequences.
These Israeli attacks on Gaza have triggered protests not only in Pakistan but also in various parts of the world, including Paris, New York, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, and Iran.
In Pakistan, after Friday prayers, people from diverse backgrounds participated in rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Punjab. Demonstrators displayed Palestinian flags, carried posters advocating freedom for Palestine, and burned Israeli flags.
Lahore
Jamaat e Islami Pakistan held a large rally at Mall Road in Lahore, with participants including women and children. Addressing the gathering, JI Emir Sirajul Haq criticized the support of the US and European countries for Israel’s actions and called for unity among Muslim nations for the Palestinian cause.
In Karachi, supporters of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) gathered to express solidarity with Palestinians and demanded an immediate end to the suffering in Gaza. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also organized a solidarity walk, and JUI-F supporters took to the streets.
Protest rallies against Israeli actions in Gaza were held in the Malakand and Hazara divisions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway in Kohistan, demanding that the United Nations intervene to stop the genocide of Palestinians.
Similar protests were organized in Quetta, Islamabad, and various other cities, with demonstrators condemning Israel’s actions and showing support for Gaza.
Despite facing challenges in holding public gatherings, several political parties and organizations came together to express their support for the Palestinian cause. The people of Pakistan, like many across the globe, are deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and are using their voices to call for an end to the violence and suffering.
