Pakistan Saturday expressed concerns over the latest Palestine-Israel conflict after Hamas launched an attack against the occupying forces, the biggest in years.
“We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Palestinians,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The Palestinian group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched barrages of rockets at Israel from dawn earlier today as its freedom fighters crossed into Israel.
At least 44 people have been killed in Israel so far during the violence, according to the latest toll issued by Israeli medics, while more than 190 Palestinians have lost their lives in retaliatory attacks.
“We are concerned about the human cost of the escalating situation,” the Foreign Office said, calling upon the international community to join hands to end the hostilities.
The ministry’s statement added that the world powers should “come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the Middle East”.
Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions.
A viable, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, the statement added.
