Gaza humanitarian crisis reaches ‘level beyond imagination’

Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif slammed Israel for the Gaza genocide, saying that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reached a ‘level beyond imagination’.

"For a whole year, the occupied Palestinian terrorists particularly Gaza have fallen into darkness and despair," he said while addressing the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh.

The premier added that the atrocities committed against the Palestinians have rightfully been labelled as genocide, not only by the media but by the International Court of Justice.

"With each passing day, every moral court has been flagrantly violated by Israel yet the killing and destruction continued with no end in sight," he said, asking for how long will this annihilation be ignored.

He repeated Pakistan’s resolve to continue backing Palestine. He demanded a ceasefire and solution to Palestine as per the aspirations of Palestinians

The premier called on the forum to demand accountability for Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed over 40,000 Palestinians, including women and children.

“This conference must call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and impose an immediate arms embargo on Israel,” he said.

“The most sophisticated weapons continue to be supplied to Israel. Indeed, it has been assured of unconditional assistance and protection,” he said.

“International humanitarian laws meant to protect the vulnerable have been torn to shreds,” PM Shehbaz said. “Humanity is being tested and failing. Is it any wonder then that after decades of suffering and oppression, the spirit of resistance remains unbridled?”

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and unwavering support to “establish an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine with Al-Quds Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders.” He stated that Palestinian self-determination is “the only avenue towards justice and durable peace in the Holy Land”.

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The PM also condemned Israeli military action in Iran and Lebanon, warning: “Such escalations constitute a dangerous threat that could unleash a broader war.”

“As the Ummah, we are bound by duty, by faith and by our conscience to stand resolutely with the people of Palestine more than ever before,” Shehbaz said. “We must not let this systematic genocide and aggression persist.”

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PM Shehbaz said that the world’s indifference and inaction over the issue only allowed Israel to become emboldened.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia also called for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon. Opening the summit, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon”, condemning Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide”.