ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said on Sunday that the South Asian country was “deeply concerned” with the escalating hostilities in the Middle East, calling on Israel to immediately cease its oppression in occupied Palestine. 

Gunmen from Hamas, which governs Gaza, launched a full-scale military operation into Israeli towns and settlements located along the separation fence with Gaza on Saturday morning. At least 200 Israelis were killed, Israel’s ambulance service said, while 1,100 had been wounded, according to the Israeli health ministry.

Tel Aviv responded by conducting deadly air strikes in Palestine, killing at least 232 people and wounding 1,697 others. Hamas said its operation against Israel was in response to the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities and their high-handedness against the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned of a “long and difficult war” as the two sides remained locked in battle in several areas on Sunday. 

“Pakistan is deeply concerned by the escalating hostility in the Middle East and the loss of innocent lives,” Jilani wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

“We stand in solidarity with Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the violence and oppression by Israeli occupation forces.”

The Pakistani foreign minister demanded the creation of a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders and in line with the UN resolutions. 

“The international community needs to intervene to bring an end to the conflict, protect civilians, and work toward a lasting peace in the Middle East,” he added. 

Separately, Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi criticized Israel for suppressing the rights of Palestinians. 

“Progress toward peace cannot materialize without condemnation of usurpation & brutalization of Palestinian rights & people by Israel,” Alvi wrote on X.