No peace amidst occupation of Palestinian territories: PM

ISLAMABAD: Peace will only remain a dream until Israel continues occupying the Palestinians territories, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, as he joined the list of those who have condemned the Israeli decision to take control of Gaza.

Read more: Israel’s security cabinet endorses Gaza city military takeover

“We strongly condemn the Israeli cabinet’ decision to approve a plan to take control of Gaza City illegally and unjustifiably,” he said in a statement.

Shehbaz warned that the move was tantamount to an alarming escalation in the already continuing war against the Palestinian people.

The prime minister said the expansion in military action would further worsen the existing human crisis and also end any possibility of peace in the region.

THE TRUMP DESIRE

Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump had said all the Middle East nations should join the Abraham Accords, which would ensure peace in the region.

However, his position misses the basic issue. He isn’t ready to pursue the idea of a two-state solution. In fact, Trump is against the France-led diplomatic push and has been talking about forcefully moving the Palestinians out of Gaza. He wants other countries to host them.

Read more: Gazans reject Trump displacement plan despite death, destruction

It was soon followed by the news that Israel intends to take military control of all of Gaza and will eventually hand it over to armed forces that will govern it properly.

Read more: Netanyahu says Israel intends to take control of entire Gaza

Even on Friday, US Vice President JD Vance repeated what Trump has said already.

“What does recognition of a Palestinian state mean when there is no stable government,” said Vance who added that there was no plan to recognise the Palestinian state.

TWO-STATE SOLUTION

But the prime minister on Friday stated Pakistan’s long-standing stance in unequivocal terms.

“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support to the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.”

Shehbaz also urged the world community to stop the Israeli aggression immediately as well as ensure the security of innocent civilians and provision of human aid to the people in Gaza.

GAZA BELONGS TO PALESTINIANS

Also on Friday, China said the territory “belongs to the Palestinian people” and Turkiye called for preventing the displacement of “Palestinians from their own land”, as the two nations denounced Israel’s plan to control Gaza.

Read more: China, Turkiye say Gaza belongs to Palestinians