Pakistan urges Organization of Islamic Cooperation to initiate 'unified strategy' against Israel

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan on Wednesday urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to initiate a "unified strategy" against Israel to protect Palestinians.

A federal Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the capital Islamabad, passed a unanimous resolution, strongly condemning Israeli atrocities and the killing of innocent the Palestinian people.

Islamabad "urges the OIC to initiate renewed efforts, united action and consider the preparation of a unified strategy against Israel," read the resolution passed by the Cabinet.

The South Asian nation reaffirmed its "support" for Palestinian people and urged the international community to take practical steps, impose sanctions on Israel to stop it from killing Palestinian people.

"Civilians, hospitals, schools, the United Nations workers, media offices and journalists are not safe from the indiscriminate campaign of Israeli bombs, bullets and massacres," it said, noting that mere condemnation was not enough, world needs to take practical actions."

"The international community and international organizations should initiate legal, diplomatic and administrative measures including sanctions against the Israel involved in genocide and war crimes. A barbaric state must be bound by international law and human rights to prevent from further innocent bloodshed. Otherwise, this fire will spread across the world," it warned.

The government also reiterated its commitment to continue its support for the people of Palestine and Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir "until they have their freedom."

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 last year attack by Hamas.

More than 39,100 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 90,200 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.