ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Sunday condemned Israeli forces’ fresh attacks on Gaza, describing them as “blatant violations” of international law and urging world powers to take steps to uphold the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East. 

Palestinian health officials reported at least 24 people killed and another 54 wounded, including children, on Saturday as Israel’s military launched attacks on Gaza. Israel said, without providing evidence, the attacks targeted Hamas fighters. 

The attack takes place days after the UN Security Council approved Washington’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza. It authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by

President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state. 

“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the attacks by Israeli occupying forces across Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of several Palestinian civilians, including women and children, and have left many more wounded,” the foreign office spokesperson said. 

Islamabad said the latest attacks violated international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the recently concluded peace agreement at Sharm el-Sheikh. It stressed Israel’s latest attacks were undermining global efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. 

“The Government of Pakistan reiterates its call upon the international community to take immediate steps to end Israeli impunity and ceasefire violations, and to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law,” the foreign office spokesperson said. 

Israel has increased its attacks in Gaza this week, threatening the fragile ceasefire in place. At least 33 Palestinians were killed over a 12-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday, mostly women and children, when Israeli military launched strikes in Gaza. 

Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, has repeatedly criticized it for its war on Gaza which began on Oct. 7, 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 69,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been killed by Israel’s military offensives. 

The toll has gone up during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.