In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday visited the Palestine Embassy in Islamabad, as the nation flew tonnes of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, currently under the siege of Israel.
According to a statement issued by the presidency, Alvi met with Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Jawad Rabei and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.
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“The United Nations should debate the atrocities that happened in Palestine, and the UNSC should pass a resolution to stop Israeli atrocities,” Alvi said.
Pakistan and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
Alvi warned that such brutal actions increased the possibility of hatred leading to more wars and that the OIC should speak out strongly in support of Palestine.
“On behalf of the Pakistani people, we condemn the brutalities happening in Gaza, the disproportionate reaction of Israel, and the apartheid for the last 30-40 years. We condemn that people are being brutalised and killed. In fact, the hospital in Gaza was bombed and more than 500 people died. All this creates more bitterness,” the president said.
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Earlier on Thursday, Islamabad said it was sending the first batch of humanitarian assistance to the besieged Gaza Strip via Egypt.
Meanwhile, a chartered plane carrying 100 tonnes of essential medical supplies, tents, and blankets departed Islamabad for Egypt. These items will be transferred to Gaza from Egypt, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly news briefing in Islamabad.
“Pakistan remains concerned about the situation of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza. We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression and blockade, particularly the recent attack on a Gaza hospital,” she said, adding that Tel Aviv’s actions “violate international humanitarian and human rights law.”