ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, on Friday telephoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the situation in Gaza, Kakar's office said, adding the two leaders urged the world to press Israeli to immediately halt its bombardment of the besieged enclave.
The development came as Palestinians in Gaza reported heavy airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis, where civilians had been told to seek safety by Israel. Ambulances streamed into Gaza’s second largest hospital, already overflowing with patients and people seeking shelter.
The war, which entered its 14th day on Friday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said that 4,137 Palestinians have been killed and more than 13,000 others wounded by Israeli strikes.
The Pakistan prime minister condemned the lethal Israeli bombardment, particularly the bombing of Al-Ahli hospital that killed hundreds of Palestinians this week.
"He termed these as deplorable and willful acts of Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians," Kakar's office said in a statement. "Both leaders emphasized the need for the international community to urge Israel to immediately halt the bloodshed."
They also agreed on the necessity of lifting the blockade of Gaza to facilitate delivery of vital humanitarian aid and medical assistance to the affected people, according to the statement.
PM Kakar stressed the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take resolute measures to resolve this crisis and uphold justice, humanity and international law. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian conflict, based on the “two-state” solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the borders that existed prior to 1967.
"President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Pakistan for longstanding and sustained support to the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation," it added.
