Pakistan has once again called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to step in to protect the lives of the Palestinians and to stop Israel from carrying out its violations of international law.
The West Bank is geographically separated from the Gaza Strip, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has left countless Palestinians dead and scores injured. Here, the Israeli forces have been acting under the guise of carrying out a counter-terrorist operation.
In her weekly press briefing, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch addressed the latest Israeli incursion in the West Bank, which she said directly violated the 4th Geneva Convention and other international laws.
She said that the UNSC must take note of this and hold Israel accountable for war crimes, including the indiscriminate targeting of civilians through the use of force, airstrikes and drone attacks. She further condemned Israel’s bombing of Khan Younis’ Grand Mosque, terming it as an assault on a place of religious and cultural value – a move directly in violation of the Hague Convention.
It is worth mentioning here that Israel has increased its attacks in the West Bank lately. The large-scale military operation that commenced earlier this week has so far killed at least 16 Palestinians. Israel’s action drew widespread criticism from members of the international community, with the United Nations calling it an act that would complicate a volatile situation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also commented on the matter. He issued a statement expressing his concern and to condemn the loss of lives. The UNSG appealed for an end to violence in the West Bank. He said that these “dangerous developments” were leading to the Palestinian Authority being undermined in its stronghold.
To ensure peace, he called for upholding the “status quo” in Jerusalem. He also expressed concern over the Israeli national security minister’s provocations during the latter’s visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the historic city.
The UN chief further urged Israel’s compliance with its humanitarian obligations under international law and to ensure the safety of civilians by exercising maximum restraint during the conflict. He added that those injured in the Israeli attacks must be granted access to medical care, and aid should be reachable to those who need it.
Kashmir
During her weekly press briefing, the FO spokesperson said that Pakistanis and Kashmiris will observe the death anniversary of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani on the 1st of September. She also paid tribute to his services to the Kashmiri cause and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful and just settlement of the longstanding dispute as per the resolutions of the UNSC.
Separately, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir reiterated its demand to resolve the Kashmir dispute in consonance with the resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
The group’s meeting was held on the sidelines of the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and was chaired by OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi led the country’s delegation and reiterated that India’s actions in the occupied territory were illegal, and were meant to intimidate or scare off the people of Kashmir from demanding their just right to self-determination. The official also urged India to release the political prisoners, lift restrictions on political parties and reverse its illegal act of August 5, 2019, besides implementing the resolutions of the UNSC on Kashmir. The meeting further stressed that peace would remain elusive in South Asia unless the Kashmir dispute is resolved properly.
