ISLAMABAD: Thousands of people in Pakistan protested against Israel’s aerial attacks on Gaza’s residential neighborhoods in response to Hamas’s surprise weekend offensive after attending Friday prayer congregations in different cities.
Hamas launched a deadly attack last Saturday, reportedly killing hundreds and citing the deteriorating living conditions under Israeli occupation as the motive.
In response, Israel mobilized its forces to besiege the Palestinian territory and deployed warplanes to target people and public infrastructure.
Pakistani political and religious parties staged dozens of demonstrations in different urban centers while reacting to these developments wherein they criticized Israel and its international supporters, including the United States.
A senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party paid tribute to Hamas while addressing a rally in Karachi in the afternoon.
“We salute the freedom fighters of Hamas who are few in number but are standing before Israel and its occupying forces,” Hafiz Naeemur Rahman said. “We cannot go to Palestine and fight, but we can protest on the streets against Zionist aggression and Jewish agents.”
Supporters of the religious group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, take part in a rally against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinians, in Karachi, Pakistan, October 13, 2023. (AP)
He said the Pakistani government and its army chief should also make “a clear statement about Israel.”
“The ruling classes of the country are afraid to step forward and help Palestinians,” the JI leader continued. “For 75 years, Palestinian Muslims have been resisting Israel. The people of Gaza are under siege for 18 years and are targeted by Israel.”
He criticized US President Joe Biden for ignoring phosphorus bombs that were being dropped by Israel on Palestinian children while asking the residents of Karachi to participate in a solidarity march organized by his party on October 15.
Supporters of the religious party Jamaat-e-Islami take part in a rally against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinians, in Lahore, Pakistan, on October 13, 2023. (AP)
Similar rallies were also arranged in other parts of the country including Lahore in Punjab, Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta in Balochistan province.
Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said its supporters poured into the streets of Lahore to raise their voice against Israel but were arrested by the police.
The Pakistan government has condemned the “indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by Israeli authorities” since the beginning of the conflict which is continuing to escalate.
The United Nations asked the Israeli army earlier today to rescind its order for the immediate relocation of 1.1 million people from north to south Gaza amid relentless aerial bombardment.
Gaza is a cramped and impoverished territory where 2.3 million residents live and which has been under a land, air and sea blockade since 2006.
Israel has now cut off water, electricity and food supplies, leaving the enclave in a total state of siege.
