ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven other keyMuslim-majority countries have issued a strong joint condemnation ofIsrael’s repeated violations of the Gaza ceasefire, warning that theseactions have caused over a thousand Palestinian casualties and pose asevere risk to the ongoing international peace efforts. Issued on Sundaythrough Pakistan’s Foreign Office and echoed by counterparts in Türkiye,Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the statementhighlights growing regional alarm over escalating tensions amid fragiletruce implementation.
The ceasefire, brokered under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan andeffective since October 2025, entered its first phase with mutualcommitments to halt hostilities, facilitate hostage-prisoner exchanges andsurge humanitarian aid. Despite initial progress, including partial Israeliwithdrawals to designated lines and increased aid flows, reports indicatepersistent breaches, primarily attributed to Israeli military actions inresponse to alleged provocations.
Data from Gaza’s health authorities and international monitors reveal thatIsraeli strikes since the truce began have resulted in significantcasualties, with figures exceeding one thousand killed and injuredPalestinians in cumulative violations. Recent incidents, includingairstrikes on residential areas and tent camps in locations such as KhanYounis and Gaza City, have drawn particular scrutiny, with hospitalofficials documenting deaths among women and children in multiple waves ofattacks.
The joint ministerial statement describes these repeated infractions as adirect threat to the political process, hindering the creation ofconditions necessary for transitioning to a more stable phase in Gaza.Ministers emphasized that such actions undermine collective regional andinternational endeavors to consolidate calm, restore stability and advancehumanitarian recovery in the devastated enclave.
The second phase of the peace plan, announced in mid-January 2026 by USSpecial Envoy Steve Witkoff, focuses on establishing technocraticPalestinian governance, full demilitarisation including disarmament ofunauthorised groups, and comprehensive reconstruction efforts. This stageaims to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorses keyelements of Trump’s framework for long-term stability and governancetransition in Gaza.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the eight nations involved in thestatement have been active mediators and supporters of the US-ledinitiative, collaborating closely with Washington to facilitatenegotiations and aid delivery. Their unified position underscores a sharedconcern that ongoing violations could derail momentum toward reconstructionand political normalisation, potentially reigniting broader regionalinstability.
Casualty figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, widely referenced by UNagencies, show that while the overall war toll surpasses 70,000 sinceOctober 2023, post-ceasefire deaths from direct engagements continue tomount. Independent assessments confirm patterns of air and artillerystrikes, often justified by Israel as defensive responses to tunnelactivities or militant movements near demarcation lines.
The ministers urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, fulfilltheir responsibilities under the agreement and avoid measures that couldjeopardise the fragile truce. They stressed the imperative of fullcommitment to the second phase, including unimpeded humanitarian access,infrastructure rebuilding and steps toward sustainable securityarrangements.
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Analysts observe that this coalition’s intervention reflects heighteneddiplomatic coordination among Muslim-majority states to influence the peacetrajectory. Pakistan’s participation aligns with its longstanding advocacyfor Palestinian rights and support for multilateral resolutions to theconflict.
The statement calls for renewed focus on protecting civilians, ensuring aidreaches those in need and preserving the ceasefire’s integrity. Failure toaddress these violations, it warns, risks escalating tensions at a pivotalmoment when reconstruction and governance reforms are set to commence.
International observers note that the Rafah crossing’s partial reopeningand other aid mechanisms represent tentative progress, yet persistentmilitary incidents continue to challenge trust-building efforts. The jointcondemnation serves as a diplomatic signal to reinforce accountability andcommitment from all stakeholders.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1970414
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