Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon in ‘strongest terms’, says it undermines peace efforts

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, cautioning that they undermine global efforts for regional peace.

“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the widespread destruction of infrastructure,” the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.

It warned, “The Israeli actions undermine international efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and constitute a blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles.”

Pakistan called upon the international community to “take urgent steps to end Israeli aggression against Lebanon”.

It reiterated its “unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Lebanon during this difficult time”, adding that it supported Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its peace and stability.

Lebanon declared a national day of mourning on Thursday after Israeli strikes pummelled the country, killing over 250 people and calling into question the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

The Lebanese prime minister’s office said Thursday would be “a national day of mourning for the martyrs and wounded of the Israeli attacks that targeted hundreds of innocent, defenceless civilians”, ordering the closure of public administrations and the lowering of flags.

Hours later, Hezbollah said it had fired rockets towards Israel in response to what it called a violation of the US-Iran truce.

There had been conflicting messages about whether the fighting in Lebanon was included in the truce, with Israel insisting that it was not.

Israel launched its heaviest and most coordinated air assault on Lebanon on Wednesday since the US-Iran war began.

Consecutive explosions rocked Beirut, sending vast plumes of smoke over the capital. The Israeli military claimed it struck more than 100 sites across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

The wave of attacks killed 254 people and wounded 837, according to Lebanon’s civil defence.