FO condemns Israeli actions in Gaza, calls for urgent ceasefire

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has strongly condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza, labelling them as genocide and a gross violation of international law.

The statement was made by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly press briefing.

Pakistan also expressed serious concerns over the bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Khan Yunus and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Speaking at the briefing, Foreign Secretary Mohammad Cyrus Sajjad Qazi was reported to be in Cameroon, leading the Pakistan delegation at the 50th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

She highlighted Pakistan’s stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation, as well as the Israeli advances threatening peace in the Middle East.

She also reaffirmed Pakistan's support for the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Israeli has been carrying out a brutal offensive on Gaza, which has killed more than 40,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7 last year.

During the same time 660 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 5,400 others injured in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian figures.

In a landmark opinion on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and demanded the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The spokesperson further mentioned Pakistan's participation in the 8th session of Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Political Consultations, where both sides reviewed cooperation in various sectors, including trade, defence, and culture.

Pakistan and Oman also expressed deep concerns over the situation in Gaza, calling for a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.