Palestine’s Enduring Humanitarian Crisis: Pakistan’s Firm Commitment to Justice and International Law

The exceedingly grim situation of Palestine cannot be ignored. The Palestinian people continue to endure illegal occupation, dispossession, systemic violence and the denial of their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination. Over the past  years, their suffering has reached unprecedented levels, particularly in Gaza where more than 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children have been killed.

Violence has also intensified sharply in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem where more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in the last couple of years. The majority of Gaza’s  population faces acute shortages of food, clean water, medicine and shelter with widespread malnutrition, disease outbreaks and near-total collapse of healthcare and education systems.

Israel’s repeated actions have drawn sharp international criticism for violating core principles of international humanitarian law. The recent assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla a civilian humanitarian mission carrying aid in international waters constitutes a clear breach. International law, including the Geneva Conventions and customary maritime law, protects humanitarian vessels and prohibits attacks on civilian missions in international waters.

Israel’s interception, detention of activists, and alleged mistreatment further violate prohibitions against arbitrary detention and use of force against non-combatants. Such actions also contravene obligations under the UN Charter and International Court of Justice rulings regarding the right to humanitarian access and the prohibition of collective punishment.

Pakistan has taken a firm and consistent diplomatic position on the Palestinian issue. In his statement at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Middle East on 24 March 2026, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad strongly condemned the ongoing violence, illegal occupation and settler attacks. Pakistan has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Pakistan has outlined clear demands which includes immediate halt to settlement expansion and settler violence , full implementation of the ceasefire and humanitarian aid, beginning of reconstruction without annexation or forced displacement, accountability for violations of international law and a time-bound political process leading to a sovereign, independent and contiguous State of Palestine on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) as its capital. Pakistan supported Resolution 2803 and continues to advocate for the central role of the Palestinian Authority in governance and reconstruction. Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people remains unwavering. The country stands firmly for their right to self-determination, dignity and justice.

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