ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the international community to make efforts for a free flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and protection of Palestinian civilians amid ongoing Israeli strikes, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.

The comments came during President Zardari’s meeting with Palestine’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ahmed Jawad Rabei, in the federal capital of Islamabad.

During the meeting, the Pakistan president promised further relief assistance for the Palestinian people, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Pakistan has historic ties with Palestine, and would continue to stand by its Palestinian brothers and raise its voice at all fora,” President Zardari was quoted as saying.

He lauded the bravery and resilience of the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israeli occupation.

Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

In meeting with President Zardari, the Palestinian ambassador highlighted the atrocities and the “reign of terror” unleashed by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people across the Gaza Strip, according to the report.

The ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s support in the field of education, saying that more than 50,000 Palestinians had so far graduated in various disciplines from educational institutions in Pakistan.

He conveyed warm regards of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and thanked Pakistan for its consistent support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Israel’s ongoing military offensive has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to health authorities in the territory.

Pakistan’s envoy has repeatedly raised the issue of Israeli strikes in Gaza at the United Nations, while Islamabad has also dispatched several aid consignments for the people of Gaza in recent months.