We see ‘holocaust of children’ playing out in Gaza: PM

ISLAMABAD:

Censuring the Israeli siege and fierce bombing of Palestine during the last 45 days, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday urged the world powers to play their role in ending the brutal killing of innocent people, including the minors, saying a “children holocaust” was being witnessed in Gaza.

The remarks of the prime minister came as Israel “expanded” its military operation in the territory on Monday.

The Palestinian health authority said the death toll from Israel's aerial bombardment and ground operations in Gaza had reached 13,000 – thousands of them children.

Gaza had been termed the world’s “largest open-air prison” for bearing the brunt of Israeli atrocities over the past five decades. It was in a constant state of blockade, making the territory a picture of humanitarian crisis.

Hamas, a Palestinian group, initiated a surprise attack against Israel on Oct 7, describing it as retribution for the deteriorating conditions of its people under Israeli occupation. As a result, Israeli war planes pounded the residential neighbourhoods of Gaza turning a large part of the territory into rubble.

Earlier this month, Pakistan participated in a joint summit of Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Riyadh.

The summit took place against the backdrop of widespread anger in the Middle East and beyond over Israel’s aerial and ground offensive in Gaza.

Read more: At least 12 more killed as Israeli forces surround another hospital in Gaza

PM Kakar highlighted the urgency of bringing an end to Israel’s campaign of terror with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege of Gaza, and rapid and unimpeded humanitarian and relief assistance for the people of Gaza.

Pakistan described the ongoing violence in West Asia as “the war between the oppressor and the oppressed”.

In an interview in October, the premier said: “We have a stance: Israel is known and understood to be an occupying state which is what we also believe.

“And we consider the people of Palestine as persecuted. This is the war between the oppressor and the oppressed. More than Israel and Palestine, this [conflict] is between two nations that have remained caught in a specific state.”

PM Kakar said Jews were persecuted during World War II when Germany was ruled by Adolf Hitler, adding that as soon as they came out of that situation and established a Zionist state, they started persecuting the Palestinians.

“The biggest party to this dispute are Palestinians themselves,” he continued. “We believe as a state and society that the first right to decide their political future lies with Palestinians.”

However, he mentioned the proposal recommending a two-state solution to the dispute while regretting that Israel was in a “state of denial” about it.

The premier blamed Israel’s intransigence for complicating the situation in the Middle East and compounding the problems of Palestinians.

Meanwhile, hundreds of rallies had been taken out in Pakistan in a show of support for the Palestinians.
On Monday, PM Kakar while addressing an event in connection with the Universal Children's Day in Islamabad termed Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as a “children’s holocaust”.

“We are witnessing a children holocaust in Gaza that must be stopped immediately,” he said.

“Professional militaries fight professional soldiers. Professional militaries do not kill unarmed children,” the PM added. “This appalling and atrocious act has to end ... this children’s holocaust has to stop and it has to stop now.”

He said this had become an issue of all mankind that went beyond any religion, adding that the world was condemning Israel’s atrocities over the defenceless people of Gaza and the West Bank.

“We are doing our utmost endeavours to cease violence in Gaza through the platform of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” the PM added.

Also read: Al-Shifa a 'death zone', says WHO as Israel pounds Gaza Strip

Later, interacting with the differently-abled children, the prime minister said he was amazed by their intellect, perseverance, and desire to positively contribute to the social sphere.

“Their spirit for proving their talents against all odds is simply impressive.”

The prime minister said that the government was determined to ensure inclusive development, education, healthcare, participation, dignity and security for all children, as envisaged in the UN

Convention on the Rights of the Child, adding that the children were the most precious asset of any nation and the sole guarantee for its future prosperity.

He said the government remained devoted to the well-being and safety of the children, urging the government and non-governmental organisations and society as a whole to contribute towards the noble cause of safeguarding the children's rights and making their future safe and prosperous.

The Universal Children’s Day was celebrated under the theme ‘For Every Child, Every Right’ to reaffirm the commitment to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of children.

The prime minister on the occasion launched the ZARRA Alert App which is a mobile application that can be used to report missing and abducted children.

Appreciating the endeavours of the National Commission on the Rights for Children (NCRC) and the Ministry of Human Rights for launching the ZARRA Alert App, Kakar highlighted it was the collective effort of all stakeholders involved.

Caretaker Minister for Human Rights Khalil George on the occasion said that it was the state’s responsibility to protect the children’s rights and to promote them to become respectable citizens in future who would play a vital role in the development and prosperity of the country.

He said that the app was connected with all the police stations and would be helpful in recovering the missing and abducted children.

National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq said that the government was making every effort to protect the rights of every child in the country.