Daily Times

Reportedly since 7th October 2023, the Zionist forces have killed nearly 34,000 Palestinians and inflicted injuries on 76,465 of them besides demolishing thousands of structures rendering hundreds and thousands of people homeless. The most painful reality is that notwithstanding a ceasefire resolution passed by the UNSC after repeated attempts by the US and its allies to thwart the move, the genocide of Palestinians continues unabated.

It is not the first time that the Zionist regime has carried out a massacre of the Palestinians. It started with the mass killings and forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948. During the turbulent period since then, Israeli forces were involved in at least 33 massacres and other acts of indiscriminate violence against the people of Palestine as well as repeated assaults on Gaza. The Israeli rulers through official statements have also been expressing support for the elimination of Palestinians. Regrettably, Israel has been doing this with impunity and declared support of the US and its allies who cry hoarse from every convenient roof-top to announce their humanitarian credentials and proponents of global peace.

The insensitivity shown by these powers to the human sufferings, particularly the killing of Palestinian children by encouraging Israel to continue with its campaign in Gaza and even extending military support to her besides obstructing UN efforts to ensure the cessation of hostilities strengthens their credentials as torchbearers of ultimate bestiality.

The insensitivity shown to the human sufferings by encouraging Israel to continue with its campaign in Gaza strengthens these world powers’ credentials as torchbearers of ultimate bestiality.

Encouraged by their support and patronage Israel has been a continuous threat to peace in the region as is also manifest from its daring attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria which has increased the possibility of engulfing the entire region in a wider military conflict with unpredictable consequences. Iran has rightly used its right of defence by hitting targets in Israel. However, not surprisingly the US, NATO and EU who looked the other way when Israel struck at the Iranian Consulate, have condemned the legitimate and justifiable Iranian response. It indicates that in case Israel decides to hit back at Iran and the two countries get involved in full-fledged war these powers would not only extend diplomatic support to the Zionist regime but would also help it militarily. It would certainly be a dreadful prospect for the Middle East region and beyond.

It is noteworthy that immediately after the Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate Pakistan condemned it terming it unacceptable and irresponsible. It also called it a major escalation in an already volatile region and urged the UNSC to stop Israel’s adventurism in the region and targeting of diplomatic facilities of other nations. After the Iranian response and announcement by Israel to retaliate Pakistan has underlined the grave implications of the inability of the UNSC to fulfil its responsibilities in regards to preventing military conflicts. Almost all the nations including Pakistan have repeatedly reiterated the need for a ceasefire and continued humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza. What Israel is doing is an affront to the UNSC and the global community and needs to be stopped forthwith. Especially those nations who are showing solidarity with Israel and can stop the massacre in Gaza must atone for their follies without any delay.

Pakistan undoubtedly has a profound interest in peace in the region and in containing hostilities that have the potential to involve the entire region. It has been stressing the need for de-escalation throughout and has again urged all those forces which are encouraging Israel to retaliate to focus on defusing the situation. Pakistan has a very clear stance on the Gaza situation and desires the international community to focus on stopping the genocide of the Palestinians and the dire humanitarian situation.

The unfolding events underline the importance of having a strong defence and security apparatus in any country, including Pakistan which is confronted with myriad of security challenges and having a strong and immoral enemy like India as well as the threat posed by terrorism. This cannot be over-emphasized in the ongoing conflict in the region. India-Israel nexus against Pakistan is a well-known reality.

Both Israel and India have fascist ideologies. It has immensely enhanced military cooperation and solidarity between the two. Israel supplies sophisticated military hardware. It has supplied unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and radar systems totalling $4.2 billion during the last 20 years in India. Above all, this is about India and the United States’ strategic convergence in global geopolitics.

India and Israel are members of the strategic Mini-lateral group, the I2U2 which replicates ‘QUAD’ the Indo-Pacific alliance.” The group membership facilitates India to receive uninterrupted Israel critical military technologies. India makes up 42 per cent of Israeli arms exports. They are also cooperating in the domain of defence technology.

It is pertinent to mention that while expressing solidarity with Israel Modi observed that both states shared a common struggle against terrorism and said that India stood in solidarity with Israel at this difficult time. It indeed is not merely a diplomatic statement but it has immense ideological and material underpinnings.

God forbid if the situation does escalate consequent upon a possible military confrontation between Israel and Iran it could have very serious repercussions for the whole region including South Asia. India would surely stand with Israel and vice versa posing a serious security threat to Pakistan.

The situation demands complete national solidarity and unqualified support for our armed forces. The nation owes unqualified gratitude to them for the unparalleled sacrifices that they are making in suppressing the scourge of terrorism.

Therefore, the political elements within the country which are trying to polarize the nation and build an anti-Army narrative through social media to achieve their narrow political agendas must realize the gravity of the security challenges faced by the country and the dangers lurking on the horizon. They are consciously or unconsciously playing in the hands of the enemies of the country. Politics can wait for better times. Pakistan and its security remain a top priority and those who are responsible for ensuring must enjoy the impregnable support and solidarity of the nation.

The writer is a former diplomat and freelance columnist.