ALBAWABA- Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sharply condemned Israel, describing it as a “cancerous state” and accusing it of committing genocide in Lebanon, as US-Iran ceasefire negotiations got underway in Islamabad.
In a post on X, Asif denounced Israel as “evil” and blamed it for ongoing civilian deaths, saying violence had expanded from Gaza to Iran and now Lebanon. His remarks came as delegations from the United States and Iran arrived in the Pakistani capital for talks aimed at sustaining a 15-day truce brokered by Islamabad.
The ceasefire, in effect since April 8, was intended to halt hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian officials. Sharif has repeatedly emphasized the agreement’s comprehensive scope, amid disagreement over whether Lebanon is covered.
Despite the diplomatic push, Israeli atrocities in Lebanon have continued, causing heavy casualties and widespread destruction, resulting in thousands of Lebanese killed and injured, mostly civilians, in two days. Pakistani officials have described the attacks as “atrocities” that risk undermining the fragile truce.
Israel responded forcefully. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Asif’s remarks as “antisemitic” and accused him of incitement, warning that Israel would continue to defend itself. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also rejected the comments, calling them unacceptable from a government positioning itself as a mediator.
The exchange has further strained already tense relations between Pakistan and Israel. Islamabad does not recognize Israel and has consistently criticized its military actions in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, while rejecting accusations from Israeli and Indian officials that it supports militant groups.
Diplomats in Islamabad warned that the escalating rhetoric could complicate the sensitive negotiations, which are expected to focus on de-escalation measures and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. The talks are widely seen as a rare opportunity to stabilize the region, but the latest war of words highlights the deep divisions surrounding the conflict.
