Intensified combat in Gaza prompts Pakistan to view backing Palestine as a moral duty
In a significant move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the sending of relief goods to Gaza, as the region faces a worsening humanitarian emergency due to ongoing conflict and a blockade. This announcement comes after a senior Palestinian delegation, led by Dr. Mahmoud Sidqi Abdul Rahman Al-Habbash, the Supreme Judge of Palestine, visited Islamabad.
The delegation, which included the imams of Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosques, expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property in Pakistan's recent floods. In response, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, described support for Palestine as a "moral obligation."
Yousaf also condemned the "ongoing massacre in Gaza," highlighting the blockade, imposed since early March, which has severely restricted access to food, water, and medical supplies in the enclave, home to around two million people. Aid agencies and the United Nations have warned of mass starvation and rising child malnutrition in the region.
Pakistan has reaffirmed its stance of unconditional support for the Palestinian cause in response to Israeli strikes on Gaza. The Pakistani minister and the Palestinian delegation agreed to promote dialogue and exchanges between religious scholars. This commitment to dialogue reflects Pakistan's longstanding position as a vocal advocate for peace in the Middle East.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site, stands at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, serving as a spiritual and political symbol for Muslims worldwide. Al-Habbash, in a statement, predicted that leaders of the Islamic world will gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque to offer prayers of thanksgiving, while also announcing that in September, he will recognize Honduras, Paraguay, and Bolivia as the first countries to acknowledge Palestine as a free and sovereign state.
Al-Habbash also thanked Islamabad for raising its voice against Israel's military campaign, demonstrating the strong bonds of solidarity between the two nations. Pakistan pledged to continue extending political, moral, and diplomatic support to Palestine under all circumstances.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is urged to take action to alleviate the suffering of the people and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Pakistan's commitment to supporting Palestine serves as a testament to its commitment to upholding the principles of justice and human rights.
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