ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the “indiscriminate and disproportionate” use of force by Israeli authorities against the civilian population in Gaza and has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities as heavy Israeli bombardments continue to hit the Palestinian enclave.
In a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed deep concern about the rapidly deteriorating and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, attributing it to the “inhumane blockade and collective punishment by Israeli forces.” Israel imposed a “total siege” to stop the flow of food and fuel to Gaza in response to a surprise Hamas offensive on Saturday that resulted in casualties on both sides.
Baloch further highlighted that Israel’s decision to cut off electricity, fuel, and water supplies was unjust and the country should reverse it since it is severely impacting the lives of millions in Gaza.
She also noted that the ongoing cycle of aggression and violence is a result of over seven decades of illegal foreign occupation, aggression, and disregard for international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions recognizing the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.
Pakistan has consistently warned against the serious consequences of Israel’s “escalatory and provocative actions” in recent months and called for urgent international intervention to address the situation. The country urged the United Nations to take a proactive role in facilitating a ceasefire to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Baloch emphasized the importance of a just, comprehensive, and lasting two-state solution with a viable, sovereign, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital. Furthermore, she emphasized that peace in the Middle East would remain elusive without such a solution and called on the international community to work together toward this goal.
