Pakistan condemned new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that killed over 300 Palestinians, potentially jeopardizing the ceasefire with Hamas. This escalation raised regional stability concerns and ramifications for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Pakistan called for international intervention to resume diplomatic peace efforts.
Pakistan has condemned the latest Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which resulted in over 300 Palestinian deaths, including women and children, according to hospital reports. The Israeli offensive poses a significant risk to the existing ceasefire with Hamas established in January and threatens to reignite the ongoing conflict, with Israeli officials indicating an anticipated expansion of their military operations.
The Pakistani Foreign Office described the attacks as a “horrific act of aggression” occurring during Ramadan, calling it a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreement. They stated, “This horrific act of aggression, in the holy month of Ramadan, is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement and marks a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilize the entire region once again.”
This unexpected escalation disrupted a period of relative tranquility during Ramadan, raising concerns about the potential for renewed violence in the 17-month conflict that has already resulted in substantial Palestinian casualties and destruction in Gaza. Notably, the situation raised uncertainties regarding the fate of approximately two dozen Israeli hostages believed to be in Hamas’s custody.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes by citing stagnation in ceasefire talks, while the White House expressed support for Israel’s military actions. Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official labeled Netanyahu’s decision a “death sentence” for remaining hostages and attributed the strikes to Netanyahu’s attempt to secure his political coalition amid growing tensions.
Pakistan urged for immediate action from the international community to halt the violence and restart diplomatic efforts for a lasting peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The current escalation is a continuation of the violent history between Israel and Hamas, which significantly intensified after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. That attack led to substantial casualties on both sides, triggering a severe Israeli military response that has devastated the Gaza Strip, displacing nearly all of its population.
The recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have intensified regional tensions and put an existing ceasefire at risk. Pakistan’s condemnation highlights the humanitarian crisis following these attacks and urges global efforts towards a diplomatic resolution. The circumstances underscore the complex and distressing situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid ongoing violence and political maneuvering.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
