ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned the “incessant and lethal” bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces on Thursday, urging members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to push for an immediate ceasefire in the area.
At least 10,569 people have been killed by Israeli bombardment since Oct. 7 with 40 percent of the casualties being children, Palestinian officials have said. Israel has ignored urgent calls from Muslim countries and world powers for a ceasefire, as it continues to rain bombs on Gaza that it says is in retaliation for a full-pronged attack launched by Hamas last month.
“Excellencies, as we speak, a grave humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza,” Kakar said during his address at the 16th ECO summit in Tashkent.
“The incessant and lethal bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli forces is a deplorable act which calls for international condemnation.”
The Pakistani prime minister said the Palestine-Israel dispute needs to be resolved through the relevant Organization of Islamic (OIC) and UN Security Council resolutions.
“I urge all ECO members to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, support the call for humanitarian assistance and rally efforts to hold Israel to account,” Kakar said.
He regretted the killing of Palestinian children in Gaza by Israeli forces.
“With the elimination of children, I recall in history when Pharaoh, on the advent of Moses’ birth killed children,” Kakar said. “And now, unfortunately, the people who claim to be the followers of Moses are following the path of Pharaohs.”
Israeli forces and Hamas’ military wing remained locked in fierce battles in Gaza on Thursday, forcing thousands of Palestinians to evacuate and head for the south.
Israel has told Palestinians to leave northern Gaza, which is encircled by its armored forces or risk being trapped in the violence. But central and southern parts of the territory also came under fire again as the war entered its second month.
UN officials and G7 world powers have stepped up appeals for a humanitarian pause in the war to help alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, where whole neighborhoods have been razed by Israeli bombardment and basic supplies are running out.
Rights groups and aid agencies have warned of diseases running rampant in the densely populated territory as Israel continues its blockade of Gaza.
