NEW DELHI: Pakistan has condemned the provocative storming of Al Aqsa Mosque and the escalating Israeli atrocities against Palestinians, denouncing the acts as a grave violation of religious sanctity and international law.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday (June 4), said these reprehensible acts, including violations at multiple entrances of the mosque were a direct assault on the sanctity, historical character and legal status of the revered Muslim holy site.
"Such reprehensible actions not only deeply offend the sentiments of Muslims worldwide but also risk igniting further unrest in an already volatile environment.
"These are clear violations of international law and must be halted immediately," the ministry said.
Israeli settlers reportedly stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque compound and a United Nations (UN) facility for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem recently.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the three holiest sites for Muslims around the world.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the continued targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza by the Israeli occupying power was deeply concerning.
"The killing of nearly 100 Palestinian civilians in the last 24 hours alone, including those waiting near food distribution sites, shows the continued impunity with which Israeli occupying forces continue to commit crimes against humanity,” the ministry said.
Israel has banked on United States (US) support as it continues its military campaign in Gaza, despite growing international concern over the scale of casualties and destruction in the occupied Palestinian territories since October 2023.
On Wednesday, the US used its veto power to block a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza.
It was co-sponsored by non-permanent members Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.
Besides these ten countries, four permanent members of the Council - China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom - voted in favour of the resolution.
The veto was the first by Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. - Bernama
