Pakistan demands ‘inclusive and transparent peace process" to secure Palestinian state

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan demanded Wednesday an "inclusive and transparent peace process" to secure a Palestinian state based on a two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani noted that the "root cause of the recent conflagration lay in the non-implementation of the two-state solution."

"Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim world in projecting a unified response to the ongoing aggression and the harrowing loss of civilian life, especially children, in Gaza and steadfast commitment to the principles of international law, justice, and the preservation of human rights – the right to self-determination in particular, " he said in a statement at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Ministerial Meeting in Jeddah.

"The solution to the protracted conflict that has claimed so many lives and continues to jeopardize the stability of the entire region, lies in the creation of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," he added.

The conflict began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres demanded an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

The death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli airstrikes and raids since Oct. 7 has climbed to 3,478, with more than 12,000 injuries, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Wednesday.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have died in the conflict.