UPDATE - Top Pakistani, Afghan diplomats discuss situation in Palestine

UPDATES WITH DETAILS OF CONVERSATION WITH FOREIGN MINISTERS OF SAUDI ARABIA, PALESTINE; CHANGES DECK

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday discussed the current situation in Palestine, an official statement said.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from his Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmar.

The two diplomats exchanged Eid greetings, discussed the Afghan peace process, and shared views about the current situation in Palestine.

"Foreign Minister Qureshi condemned the indiscriminate use of force and attacks by Israeli forces in Al-Aqsa and Gaza, called for protection of civilians, and underscored the need for the international community to take urgent steps to address the grave situation in the occupied territories," read the statement.

Qureshi reaffirmed his country’s support and solidarity with the Palestinians, and for a just and lasting solution of the issue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international legitimacy.

Tensions have escalated in the region since an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem.

Palestinians protesting in solidarity with residents of the neighborhood were targeted by Israeli forces.

The occupying forces also raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque during special night prayers for the fasting month of Ramadan.

The conflict moved to Gaza after Palestinian resistance groups there vowed to retaliate against Israeli assaults. At least 122 Palestinians have been killed in the Jewish state's air and ground offensive since May 10, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Qureshi also welcomed the announcement of the three-day cease-fire in Afghanistan for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

The development came as a bomb ripped through a mosque in northern Kabul during Friday prayers, killing several worshippers, the latest in a surge in violence as foreign troops begin their final withdrawal from the war-torn country.

The Pakistani foreign minister also spoke to his Saudi and Palestinian counterparts to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza.

While Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud briefed Qureshi regarding the initiatives being taken to address the situation, Palestine's Riyad Al-Maliki updated Qureshi on the dire situation on ground.

He expressed "deep appreciation for Pakistan’s principled, steadfast, and unflinching support to Palestine."

* Aamir Latif contributed to this story from Karachi, Pakistan.