MM News

ISLAMABAD: Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Jawad Rabaei called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday in Islamabad and briefed him on the situation in Gaza.

During the meeting, Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Jawad Rabaei expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support and steadfast policy on Palestine. Jawad Rabaei appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts to engage the international community in protecting Palestine.

The Palestinian Ambassador apprised the Foreign Minister about the latest situation on the ground, which is already dreadful due to COVID-19, and the ensuing humanitarian suffering.

On the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned violence by the Israeli Forces against innocent worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

He categorically condemned Israeli forces’ continuous and indiscriminate attacks that had resulted in the martyrdom of more than 190 Palestinians, including 39 children and 30 women, and injured more than one thousand.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the United States to play role in addressing the worsening Palestine crisis and restore peace in the region. Talking to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone, FM Qureshi said it was up to the international community to take concrete measures to stop the bloodbath in Palestine.

He said, “Israel is violating human rights laws in Gaza.’ Israel’s aggression in Gaza should stop instantly, FM Qureshi stressed. Qureshi and Blinken, according to a readout issued by the Foreign Office, also spoke about “bilateral relations and important regional developments”.

The foreign minister told his US counterpart that Pakistan wanted ties based on “close economic cooperation, enhanced regional connectivity and a common vision for a peaceful South Asia”. The death toll from Israeli attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip rose to 192, including 30 women and 56 children on Monday.

Israeli warplanes have continued airstrikes at several locations of Gaza city early morning with the death toll nearing 200 as country’s caretaker PM Benjamin Netanyahu said an end to hostilities was not imminent.

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza entered its eighth consecutive day after raids on Sunday killed at least 43 Palestinians, injured several others and flattened at least two residential buildings.

According to reports, Israeli fighter jets carried out at least 55 air raids early on Monday targeted several military and security bases in the Palestinian territory, as well as some empty land east of Gaza City. Dozens of attacks were carried out, the Reuters news agency’s Gaza correspondent Nidal al-Mughrabi said on Twitter. The Israeli military confirmed on Twitter that it had launched attacks.

The air strikes are continuing, buildings shaking, doors cracking and I could hear children of my neighbours crying

— Nidal al-Mughrabi (@nidalal) May 16, 2021

Sunday was the deadliest day in Israel’s military offensive so far, with at least 42 Palestinians killed and dozens more wounded. Rescuers in Gaza are still hoping to pull survivors in Gaza City after an overnight Israeli bombing left dozens dead.

“We are still here at the Al-Shifa Hospital just a very short while ago five more bodies were brought out of the El Wahda neighborhood, unfortunately, all of them dead, rescuers said. They further said lack of resources for rescue crews was creating a “great challenge” to pull bodies from the rubble.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that an end to seven days of hostilities with Gaza fighters was not imminent, despite diplomatic moves to reestablish peace.

“Our campaign against the terrorist organizations is continuing with full force,” Netanyahu said in a televised speech. He said, “We are acting now, for as long as necessary, to restore calm and quiet to you, Israel’s citizens. It will take time.”