Pakistan strongly expressed its grave concern on Friday regarding what it deemed "heinous crimes" committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
“The UNSC must act to fulfil its responsibility to uphold peace and call for urgent and unconditional ceasefire, lifting of siege and commencement of rapid unhindered humanitarian assistance,” the spokesperson said.
The conflict escalated on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, resulting in the reported deaths of 1,400 Israelis and the taking of over 200 hostages. In retaliation, Israel imposed a blockade on the strip and initiated a brutal assault, leading to the deaths of more than 10,000 Palestinians, predominantly children.
Thousands were compelled to flee their homes as intense battles between Hamas and Israeli forces unfolded.
Despite mounting casualties and ongoing risks to civilians in Gaza, Israel has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday, agreed to daily four-hour "military pauses" in the north of the enclave for humanitarian reasons.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch, in a weekly press briefing, denounced the collective punishment imposed on the people of Gaza, declaring that Israeli forces were committing crimes against humanity with impunity.
She criticised Israel's indiscriminate massacres of defenceless civilians and deliberate efforts to deprive them of essential resources like food, water, shelter, and medical care. Baloch highlighted the use of phosphorous bombs and threats of nuclear holocaust against the occupied population facing forced eviction from their land.
Describing the situation in Gaza as a "tragedy of epic proportions," Baloch urged the UNSC, scheduled to convene to discuss the Mideast situation, to fulfil its responsibility in upholding peace.
She called for an urgent and unconditional ceasefire, the lifting of the siege, and the prompt initiation of unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
Baloch asserted that supporters of Israel should persuade it to abandon plans for settler colonialism, forced displacement, and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
“As an occupying power, Israel must fulfil its obligations under the 4th Geneva Convention and end its carnage in Gaza,” she added.
Responding to a question, Baloch clarified Pakistan's position on Israel, stating that there were no relations or economic ties between the two countries. She further announced that caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar would attend an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Council on November 11 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This summit was convened in response to what Pakistan deemed unprecedented Israeli attacks on Gaza, posing a grave threat to civilians and precipitating a humanitarian crisis. Baloch stated that Pakistan, represented by PM Kakar and Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, would continue to play its role in advancing international consensus and efforts to urgently end Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
