Pakistan condemns Israel's ‘growing adventurism’, calls on UN to stop it

Pakistan has condemned what it described as Israel’s “growing adventurism” and called on the UN to stop it, in light of the assassination of Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in Lebanon.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement published yesterday that Islamabad “strongly condemns the growing Israeli adventurism in the Middle East.”

“Its unbridled attacks on civilian populations and disregard of international law have reached alarming levels,” it added, noting, “For the last several days, Israeli forces have engaged in unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of Lebanon, relentlessly targeting civilian population centres, and undermining its stability and security.”

It stressed that “the reckless act of killing the Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon constitutes a major escalation in an already volatile region,” adding, “Pakistan continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon.”

It urged the “United Nations Security Council to restrain Israel from its adventurism in the region and violations of international law; and to restore peace in the Middle East.”

Since 23 September, the Israeli army has been launching the “most violent and extensive” attack on Lebanon in almost 20 years, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths and wounding more than 6,000, including children and women. One million residents of the south of the country – one fifth of the population – have been forcibly displaced as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign, according to the government.

Israel’s assassination of Nasrallah in air strikes carried out by F-35 fighter jets on Friday evening, have increased fears that a regional war is imminent.

Read: 1,640 killed by Israel in Lebanon, including 104 children