ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has voiced strong opposition to the Israeli cabinet’s recent approval of a plan to seize control of Gaza, describing it as an “illegal and dangerous escalation” amid the ongoing devastating conflict with Palestinians.
In a statement shared on X, the Prime Minister warned that expanding military operations in Gaza would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and hinder prospects for peace in the region. He emphasized that the core issue behind the violence stems from Israel’s continued illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, asserting that lasting peace remains unattainable as long as this occupation persists.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, Shehbaz underscored Palestinians’ right to self-determination and the creation of an independent state with Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital, in accordance with United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation resolutions.
He called on the international community to take urgent action to stop Israel’s “unjustified aggression,” protect civilian lives, and ensure the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.These remarks come shortly after Israel announced plans to “take control” of Gaza City under a new strategy approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, sparking widespread criticism both domestically and internationally. As the conflict nears two years, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to negotiate a truce that would save Gaza’s over two million residents from famine and secure the release of captives held by Hamas.Critics have condemned the plan to escalate the conflict as a “war crime,” while Germany, a close Israeli ally, took the unusual step of halting military exports out of concern they might be used in Gaza.
According to the newly endorsed plan to “defeat” Hamas, the Israeli military aims to “prepare to take control of Gaza City” while providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside active combat zones, the Prime Minister’s Office stated on Friday. Earlier, Netanyahu had declared that Israel intended to fully seize control of the Gaza Strip but did not plan to administer it directly.
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Netanyahu clarified, “We don’t want to keep Gaza,” adding that Israel seeks a “security perimeter” and plans to transfer governance to “Arab forces that will manage it properly without threatening us.”
Israel occupied Gaza from 1967 until its withdrawal of troops and settlers in 2005. Netanyahu’s office reported that a majority of the security cabinet had approved “five principles,” including demilitarization and the establishment of an alternative civil administration separate from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
The announcement prompted swift international criticism, with countries such as China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the UN’s rights chief issuing statements of concern over the plan.
