Years of illegal occupation of Palestine behind violence: Pakistan

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Expressing its “deep concern" over the situation in Gaza, Pakistan on Monday said the violence in Palestine should be seen in the "context of years of illegal occupation."

“Israel’s deliberate, indiscriminate, and disproportionate targeting of civilians in Gaza is against all norms of civility and in manifest violation of international law,” said interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

“The breakout of violence needs to be seen in the context of years of forced and illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and repressive policies against its people,” he said on X.

The Pakistani prime minister called on the UN and the international community to "swiftly create safe humanitarian routes for urgently needed relief supplies to reach Gaza."

"We stand in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and call for an immediate cease-fire and lifting of the blockade in Gaza," said Kakar, adding Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will attend the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, and water, food, fuel and medical supplies running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

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

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.