Pakistan has expressed its support for the newly agreed ceasefire in Gaza and called for its immediate and full enforcement. In an official statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized the importance of the truce as a step toward a permanent ceasefire and an increase in humanitarian assistance to the region.
The spokesperson condemned the indiscriminate use of force by Israeli forces, which has resulted in an immense loss of life, widespread destruction, and the displacement of countless Palestinian civilians. He further highlighted that Israel’s expansionist policies have destabilized the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan reiterated its unwavering support for a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. This solution, the spokesperson said, should culminate in the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, based on the borders of pre-June 1967, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The ceasefire agreement brokered through months of negotiations, marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict. Israel and Hamas reached a deal to halt hostilities and to exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, signaling a potential end to the 15-month-long war.
The agreement, which was reached with the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators and U.S. backing, comes just ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. This ceasefire follows a brutal Israeli military campaign in Gaza that began after Hamas-led gunmen infiltrated Israeli territories on October 7, 2023. The violence led to the deaths of over 46,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and left the region in ruins, with many survivors living in tents and makeshift shelters as winter sets in.