ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s permanent mission to the United Nations on Monday called on the UN Security council to hold Israel accountable for “war crimes” and condemned its use of “indiscriminate force” against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Violence in the region entered a second week with no sign of an end to the fiercest hostilities in years, despite growing international concern and mounting calls for a ceasefire.
World concern had already deepened after an Israeli air strike in Gaza that destroyed several homes on Sunday and which Palestinian health officials said killed 42 people, including 10 children.
“The SC should hold Israel accountable for its war crimes & crimes against humanity; must promote full implementation of relevant @UN resolutions esp for realization of #TwoStateSolution,” Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN said on Twitter.
“Pakistan condemns Israel’s use of indiscriminate force killing 200+ #Palestinians;destroying infrastructure;assaulting worshippers #AlAqsaMosque ;expansion of illegal settlements;demolition of homes;targeting journalists/int'l media outlets in occupied Palestinian territories.”
The Pakistani mission urged the UN Security Council to call Israel for an immediate halt to the use of arbitrary force, offer protections to civilians and ensure full compliance with international and human rights laws.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the ambassador of Palestine, Ahmed Jawad A.A. Rabaei, on Monday and condemned “continuous and indiscriminate” attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) against Palestinians.
“Foreign Minister Qureshi strongly condemned violence by the Israeli Forces against innocent worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement. “While conveying his deepest sorrow and condolences for the innocent victims of lethal attacks by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza and the West Bank, he categorically condemned IDF’s continuous and indiscriminate attacks that had resulted in martyrdom of more than 140 Palestinians, including 39 children and 22 women, and injured more than 1,000.”
Ambassador Rabaei expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s "unwavering support and steadfast policy" on Palestine and “appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts to engage the international community for protecting Palestine.”