Pakistan seeks increased D-8 involvement to halt Israeli aggression
Published on: June 11, 2024.
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Pakistan Urges D-8 Countries to End Israeli Brutalities in Palestine
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called on the D-8 countries to use their political and economic influence to put an immediate and unconditional halt to the illegal and genocidal actions carried out by Israel. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made this appeal at the Extraordinary Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul on Saturday.
In his address, Dar emphasized that remaining silent in the face of the mistreatment, killings, and displacement of Palestinians is not an option. He stressed the need for a united front to stop Israel’s inhumane and barbaric acts of violence against the Palestinians.
The situation in Gaza is an unprecedented tragedy, said Dar. Israeli occupation forces have killed over 40,000 Palestinians, leaving 81,000 injured, many with life-threatening injuries or disabilities. The indiscriminate killings disproportionately affect women and children, and Israeli forces continuously bomb hospitals and vital infrastructure in an attempt to eradicate the Palestinian population.
According to the World Health Organization, Gaza’s health facilities are in dire condition, with only 12 out of 36 hospitals still functioning. Approximately 84% of all health facilities have been destroyed or damaged, mainly by Israeli forces. Dar condemned Israel’s aggression as an attempt to wipe out the Palestinian population.
Israel’s actions in Gaza violate international law, disregard world opinion, and defy the International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders, said Dar. He stressed the importance of not remaining silent in the face of such atrocities and highlighted Israel’s use of hunger and starvation as weapons of war. The recent attacks on aid convoys and the seizure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt are deliberate attempts to block humanitarian supplies and starve the civilian population.
Dar called for an immediate ceasefire and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He urged the international community to ensure the implementation of the ICJ’s order to halt Israel’s military offensive in Rafah.
Pakistan has consistently supported a just and lasting peace in the occupied Palestinian territories based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Dar emphasized the need for Israel to withdraw from all occupied Arab territories and for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
He highlighted the D-8 platform as an opportunity to coordinate humanitarian assistance and contribute to the rebuilding efforts once the aggression ends. Dar called for a strong message of support to the Palestinian people and urged immediate international action to stop Israeli aggression and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Pakistan has already sent eight relief consignments to support the Palestinians, but the magnitude of the devastation in Gaza demands extraordinary international effort for restoration and rehabilitation. Dar urged unity and meaningful support for the Palestinian people.
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