Pakistan condemns Israel for violating Gaza peace agreement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned “the attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives” and urged the international community to stop the aggression.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said, “Such actions run contrary to the spirit of the peace agreement signed in Sharm el-Sheikh in the presence of leadership from Muslim and the Arab world, US, Europe, and the UN.”

The statement came after Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan “reviewed recent regional developments, including Gaza and Palestine.”

The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace and stability in the region and agreed to stay closely engaged on matters of mutual interest.

In a separate but related development, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed by Pakistan and Afghanistan, which also envisages establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,

Read more: Saudi cabinet welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire deal

IMPLEMENT CEASEFIRE

In its latest statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained Pakistan’s position in a detailed but precise manner.

“Pakistan urges the international community, to take urgent and effective measures to end these violations and to ensure full implementation of the ceasefire and protection of Palestinian civilians.”

Reaffirming unwavering support for the Palestinian people, Pakistan called for an immediate end to Israeli hostilities and establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine.

ISRAEL AGAINST TURKISH FORCES IN GAZA

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Wednesday at his opposition to any role for Turkish security forces in the Gaza Strip as part of a mission to monitor a US-backed ceasefire with Hamas.

Read more: Middle East allies ready to ‘straighten out Hamas’ if asked: Trump

Speaking in Jerusalem alongside visiting US Vice President JD Vance, Netanyahu said they had discussed the “day-after” for Gaza, including who could provide security in the territory shattered by two years of war.

Vance, who said on Tuesday US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan was going better than expected, reiterated his optimism. “I never said it was easy. But what I am is optimistic that the ceasefire is going to hold and that we can actually build a better future in the entire Middle East,” he said.

Having secured a ceasefire, mediators are focused on the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan which demands Hamas disarm and foresees the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force that would train and support vetted Palestinian police.

A developing story. Details to follow.