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Mumtaz Hussain
NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council convened an urgent meeting today to address the escalating crisis in Gaza, following the Israeli Cabinet’s decision to expand military operations and take control of Gaza City.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered a strong statement condemning the move as a “dangerous escalation” and a “campaign of ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people.
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted grave violations of international law, including breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and called attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
Citing briefings from Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), he described the situation as “beyond horrific,” warning that the planned occupation could displace over a million Palestinians and exacerbate the region’s instability.
“The Prime Minister of Pakistan has strongly condemned this announcement, calling it a dangerous escalation in an already catastrophic war against the people of Palestine,” Ambassador Ahmad said, echoing a joint statement by the Arab-Islamic Summit’s Ministerial Committee, which Pakistan supports.
The ambassador urged the Security Council to take immediate and concrete action, including demanding an unconditional ceasefire, the release of hostages, unhindered humanitarian access, and protection of Jerusalem’s holy sites. He also called for the deployment of an international protection force should Israel proceed with its plans.
“This Council must go beyond statements. It must act: to end aggression, to protect civilians, restore justice and ensure accountability,” Ahmad asserted.
He emphasized that the root cause of the conflict remains Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories and stressed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.
As the Security Council deliberates, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with humanitarian agencies warning of famine, displacement, and ongoing violence. The international community watches closely, awaiting decisive steps to halt the bloodshed and pave the way toward a lasting peace in the Middle East.
