ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani foreign office said on Friday it was “disappointed” that Israel had started bombing Gaza again as war resumed after a week-long truce collapsed with no deal to extend it.
The Israeli military announced it had "resumed combat operations", accusing Hamas which controls the Gaza strip, of violating the truce first by firing rockets.
Hamas said Israel bore responsibility for the end of the truce, accusing it of rejecting all offers to release more of the hostages the group is holding in the Gaza enclave.
Barely two hours after the truce expired, Gaza's health ministry reported that 32 people had already been killed in air strikes.
“We are disappointed that after a brief pause, Israel has restarted bombing the Palestinian people,” the foreign office said, calling for a “durable and sustainable ceasefire.”
“The temporary pause offered a crucial respite to the suffering people of Gaza and allowed exchange of prisoners.”
“We are deeply concerned at the escalating Israeli aggression against the West Bank and the escalation of hostile acts against the Palestinian population,” the FO added. “We strongly condemn the Israeli raid in the Jenin refugee camp and acts of violence and repression against the returning prisoners and their families.”
Pakistan called on the international community to enable the “supply of extensive and robust humanitarian assistance; urgent medical aid to the injured; and shelter to those who have been displaced as a result of indiscriminate and inhumane bombing campaign by Israeli occupation forces.”
“Pakistan supports the call for a comprehensive investigation into attacks against medical facilities, schools, mosques, churches, residential buildings and water facilities and urges full accountability for the war crimes being perpetrated in occupied Palestine.”
