Pakistan slams Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza
Pakistan
PM Shehbaz Sharif says Ramazan teaches Muslims to serve humanity
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday slammed Israel for blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying there could be “no greater oppression” than this.
Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated. The blockade is likely to add significant pressure on the two million Palestinians who are still suffering from shortages of essential goods following 16 months of war.
Speaking at a special meeting of the federal cabinet, Sharif said the month of Ramazan teaches Muslims to serve humanity and be kind to people who are less privileged, and requires them to express solidarity with Palestine, where Israel’s war had martyred more than 50,000 people.
“I believe there can be no greater oppression than blocking food and aid supplies to Gaza in Ramazan despite a ceasefire,” he said. “We are to raise our voice on this.”
Sharif’s statement came hours after Pakistan’s foreign office criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it a blatant violation of law and urging the international community to hold the Jewish state accountable for collectively punishing millions of civilians.
“This latest action is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need. This constitutes yet another blatant violation of international law by the occupying power and could imperil the ceasefire agreement,” it said.
“We also reiterate our call for the full implementation of the agreement to secure a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza as well as the revival of a political process to achieve the two-state solution,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
