UPDATES WITH PRESIDENT ARIF ALVI'S VISIT TO THE PALESTINIAN EMBASSY IN ISLAMABAD; CHANGES HEADER, DECK, LEDE
By Islamuddin Sajid and Aamir Latif
ISLAMABAD (AA) – In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Thursday visited the Palestine Embassy in Islamabad, as the South Asian nation flew tons of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, currently under the siege of Israel.
According to a statement issued by the presidency, Alvi met with Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Jawad Rabei and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
"The United Nations should debate the atrocities that happened in Palestine, and the UNSC should pass a resolution to stop Israeli atrocities," Alvi said.
Pakistan and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
Alvi warned that such brutal actions increased the possibility of hatred leading to more wars and that the OIC should speak out strongly in support of Palestine.
“On behalf of the Pakistani people, we condemn the brutalities happening in Gaza, the disproportionate reaction of Israel, and the apartheid for the last 30-40 years. We condemn that people are being brutalized and killed. In fact, the hospital in Gaza was bombed and more than 500 people died. All this creates more bitterness,” the president said.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan said it was sending the first batch of humanitarian assistance to the besieged Gaza Strip via Egypt.
Meanwhile, a chartered plane carrying 100 tons of essential medical supplies, tents, and blankets departed Islamabad for Egypt. These items will be transferred to Gaza from Egypt, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly news briefing in Islamabad.
"Pakistan remains concerned about the situation of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza. We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression and blockade, particularly the recent attack on a Gaza hospital,” she said, adding that Tel Aviv's actions "violate international humanitarian and human rights law."
Islamabad called Israel's "deliberate" attacks on civilian targets "war crimes and crimes against humanity," and demanded an immediate cease-fire, an end to the siege of Gaza, and the facilitation of humanitarian corridors for unrestricted relief supplies.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began 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. It 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.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.