'Closely monitoring unfolding situation': Pakistan on Palestine-Israel hostilities

'Closely monitoring unfolding situation': Pakistan on Palestine-Israel hostilities

Pakistan

PM Kakar underscores urgent need to address ‘the Palestine Question'

ISLAMABAD (APP) – Pakistan has voiced concerns over the escalation of hostilities between Palestine and Israel, after Hamas launched an attack against Israeli occupation forces early Saturday morning.

“We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Palestinians,” the Foreign Office said in a press release issued Saturday.

Pakistan, while voicing concerns about the human cost of the escalating situation in the Middle East, called on the international community to come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the region.

Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions.

“A viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” the FO reiterated.

PM Kakar heartbroken

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said he was heartbroken by the escalating violence in the Middle East which underscored the urgent need to address ‘the Palestine Question’.

In a post on X, the prime minister said, “We urge restraint and protection of civilians. Enduring peace in the Middle East lies in a two state solution with a viable, contiguous, sovereign State of Palestine, founded on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif at its heart.”

The Palestinian group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched barrages of rockets at Israel from dawn earlier today as its freedom fighters crossed into Israel.

At least 44 people have been killed in Israel so far during the violence, according to the latest toll issued by Israeli medics, while more than 190 Palestinians have lost their lives in retaliatory attacks.