ISTANBUL, Turkiye: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reiterated Islamabad’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging an end to “Israel’s genocidal campaign” in the besieged Palestinian territory.
“Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians continues unabated, with over 55,000 Palestinians — mainly women and children — martyred and even a larger number injured in Gaza alone,” Dar lamented while addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also attended the meeting.
“Millions remain displaced, and entire communities and neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble. Life-saving and humanitarian aid is being deliberately denied, along with [the] targeting of humanitarian workers,” Dar said.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Pakistan co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was vetoed.
“We demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with unfettered humanitarian access, and accountability for Israeli war crimes,” Dar demanded.
“Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without allowing Palestinians their inalienable right to self-determination … for a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.”
Israel is ‘real problem’
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “Israel committed genocide and created bloodshed in Gaza, and unfortunately, Israel today attacks Iran, dragging the whole region into a disaster”.
“This is not a problem of Yemen, Iran, Palestine, or Syria. The real problem is Israel,” Fidan said, denouncing Israel’s ongoing aggression in the region.
Fidan also stressed that OIC member states should act in unity and express unwavering solidarity with Iran against Israeli provocations.
Israel’s attacks on Gaza aid seekers
On Saturday, at least 21 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured as Israeli forces continued attacks across the Gaza Strip, including targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid, Wafa reports citing medical sources.
Statement of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, at the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. pic.twitter.com/VhQKY7GYxb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 21, 2025
In western Rafah, in southern Gaza, six Palestinians were shot dead and at least 10 others injured while waiting at an aid distribution point.
In central Gaza, five Palestinians were killed and 15 others wounded near the al-Shohada Junction in Nuseirat, after Israeli forces opened fire on crowds seeking food aid, according to al-Awda Hospital.
Meanwhile, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Zaytoun neighbourhood in southern Gaza City. Their bodies were transported to the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
Another three brothers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on al-Mansoura Street in Shuja’iyya, east of Gaza City.
One Palestinian was also shot dead by Israeli forces northwest of Khan Younis.
