Pakistan denounces latest Gaza bombardment, says Israeli actions violate global norms

Pakistan on Sunday denounced renewed Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, saying the attacks had killed several civilians, including women and children, and left many others injured.

The criticism comes despite a ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 9. Israeli forces have continued periodic air operations in the enclave, with the latest wave on Saturday reported to have left at least 21 people dead.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched on Oct. 7, 2023, has stretched into its third year. Previous efforts to halt the fighting have repeatedly collapsed. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, more than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, including roughly 342 deaths in the 44 days following the latest ceasefire announcement.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the continued strikes “constitute a clear breach of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” adding that they also violate commitments made under the recent peace accord reached in Sharm el-Sheikh. Islamabad warned that the attacks risk undermining diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

Pakistan urged global powers to act swiftly to halt what it called Israeli “impunity” and repeated violations of the ceasefire, stressing the need to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law.

Islamabad also reaffirmed its longstanding support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with an independent and contiguous Palestinian state and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.