ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Tuesday condemned Israel’s military operation in Lebanon, calling on Tel Aviv to withdraw its troops from the occupied areas unconditionally, with the war displacing over 700,000 people in the country, according to a UN agency.
Lebanon was pulled into Israel’s conflict in the Middle East against Iran after Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this month. This ignited an Israeli offensive that has killed nearly 500 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israeli bombardment in Lebanon has forced nearly 700,000 people to flee their homes, Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF regional director, said in a statement.
“Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of nearly half a million people,” the foreign office said in a statement.
Islamabad said Israel’s actions were in violation of international law, adding that they were also hampering Lebanon’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country.
The foreign office warned that Israel’s actions can further exacerbate the ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the Middle East.
Pakistan called on the international community to take “urgent action” to end the Israeli military operations and indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
“We also call for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories immediately, fully, and unconditionally,” the foreign office added.
It concluded its statement by saying Pakistan expresses solidarity with Lebanon and will continue to support efforts aimed at securing peace in the country and the wider region.
The Israeli military has sent more troops into southern Lebanon since the start of the war, establishing what it described as forward defensive positions to guard against Hezbollah attacks into Israel.
The conflict takes place while US, Israel and Iran remain engaged in the worst fighting between the countries in decades, disrupting energy supply routes and causing oil prices to surge worldwide.
