The Foreign Office on Wednesday strongly condemned Israel’s fresh attacks in Gaza, calling them a serious breach of the recently signed peace agreement and a threat to ongoing regional peace efforts.
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the latest strikes by the Israeli occupying forces were “deeply regrettable” and “a clear violation of international laws and human rights.”
The Spokesperson confirmed that reports have emerged of the martyrdom of several innocent Palestinian civilians, including women and children, as Israeli forces carried out overnight bombings across the Gaza Strip.
Israeli aggression undermining peace efforts
The Foreign Office expressed concern that Israel’s aggression was undermining international efforts for lasting peace in the Middle East.
“The recently concluded peace agreement is being violated by Israeli actions,” the statement said. “These attacks are not only tragic but also jeopardize the fragile progress achieved through global diplomatic efforts.”
Pakistan urged the international community to take immediate notice of Israel’s ceasefire violations and to act decisively to prevent further civilian casualties.
Pakistan reiterates unwavering support for Palestine
Reaffirming Islamabad’s longstanding stance, the Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, based on the pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for freedom and dignity,” the Spokesperson added.
Ceasefire restored after night of deadly bombings
Meanwhile, Arab media reported that the Israeli army announced the restoration of the ceasefire in Gaza following a night of intense bombings that left over 100 Palestinians dead, including 24 children.
Heartbreaking scenes were once again witnessed in Gaza hospitals, where medical staff struggled to treat hundreds of injured civilians amid power shortages and damaged infrastructure.
The Israeli military claimed the attacks were in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier, an accusation Hamas denied, saying the group had adhered to the ceasefire agreement.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stated it had no involvement in the incident and accused Israel of “fabricating pretexts” for renewed aggression.
Hamas later announced the return of the body of another Israeli prisoner found during excavation operations, which had been delayed due to Israel’s ongoing bombardment.
The Israeli military said that it had resumed enforcing the Gaza ceasefire agreement after a series of strikes across the enclave that it said were in response to Hamas violations.
Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza late on Tuesday, killing dozens of people, after it said an attack by Palestinian militants had killed one soldier, in the latest challenge to an already fragile ceasefire.
The Israeli military said in a statement that it would continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and would respond firmly to "any violation".
Ceasefire not at risk, Trump says
US President Donald Trump said that the US-backed ceasefire was not at risk even as Israeli planes struck across Gaza, with Israel and Hamas trading blame for breaches of the truce.
Gazan health authorities said the Israeli strikes killed at least 70 people, including five in a house hit in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, four in a building in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood, and five in a car in Khan Younis.
"As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back," he added.
