During a phone call with Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri on Sunday, FM Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for any initiatives aimed at ending the genocide in Gaza. They deliberated on the dire situation in Gaza and the relentless Israeli aggression there, as per a statement from the Foreign Office.
Dar, also serving as the deputy prime minister, reiterated Pakistan’s full backing for providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
According to a report by AFP citing the state’s health ministry, at least 36,439 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza during over seven months of conflict between Israel and Hamas. This toll includes a recent surge with at least 60 fatalities within the past 24 hours, along with 82,627 people sustaining injuries since October 7.
An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel has agreed to a framework proposed by US President Joe Biden to de-escalate tensions in Gaza. However, the aide described the plan as flawed and needing substantial refinement, as reported by Reuters.
In an interview with Britain’s Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, acknowledged Israel’s acceptance of Biden’s proposal. Falk referred to it as “a deal we agreed to,” though he expressed reservations, emphasizing the necessity for the release of all hostages and the dismantling of Hamas as a terrorist entity.
The initial phase of the plan involves a ceasefire and the partial release of hostages held by Hamas. Subsequently, negotiations would commence for a comprehensive cessation of hostilities, leading to the liberation of all remaining captives, as outlined by Biden.
