Pakistan has voiced serious concerns over the recent escalation of Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank, calling for immediate United Nations Security Council (UNSC) intervention.
The Pakistani government condemned these actions as blatant violations of international law and a continuation of the grave humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
This pressing appeal was made during a weekly briefing by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in Islamabad, where she emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing violence and protect civilian lives.
The Israeli military incursion, which began on Wednesday, has already resulted in the deaths of at least 11 Palestinians, including children, as reported by the United Nations.
The situation marks a significant escalation in the nearly 11-month-old conflict between Israel and Gaza, showing no signs of resolution.
Among those killed were three members of Hamas’s armed wing located in the Jenin refugee camp, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
During her address, Baloch strongly urged the UNSC to take immediate action to halt what she termed the “genocide” of the Palestinian people.
She called for an end to Israel’s repeated violations of international law, including its use of airstrikes and drone attacks on densely populated areas, which are in direct contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Moreover, Pakistan condemned the recent bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Khan Younis by Israeli forces.
Baloch highlighted that this attack on a site of profound cultural and religious significance is not only a violation of international humanitarian law but also breaches the Hague Convention, which protects cultural property in times of conflict.
In addition to these condemnations, Baloch discussed the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Pakistan in the past week.
Notably, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi led a Pakistani delegation at the 50th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFMs) in Cameroon.
Qazi is expected to present Pakistan’s stance on the genocide in Gaza, the critical humanitarian situation, and Israel’s aggressive actions that threaten regional stability.
He will also address other significant issues, including the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), rising Islamophobia, and the global climate crisis.
