Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has called for ‘carnage’ to end in Gaza and for a viable Palestinian state to be created on the pre-1967 borders. He also said that Israel had turned Gaza into a ‘living hell’

Addressing a Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh on Saturday, Kakar called on the world powers for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the OIC to look into the option of approaching the International Court of Justice against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

“70 years ago the framers of the UN charter had pledged to save the succeeding generation from the scourge of war,” Kakar said. He said that the world was unfortunately witnessing another descent into war in Gaza.

“What’s worse, this war is genocide,” Kakar said.

He said that the images of slain women and children, slaughtered UN official and flattened buildings were heartbreaking.

“Israel has turned Gaza into a living hell,” he said. “I condemn these atrocities in the storngest terms.

He added that it should be clear that international law does not permit the pain being inflicted on inncoent civilians in Gaza.

Kakar also called on the conscience of world leaders to ensure an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian assistance.

He said that while he lauded the ‘hectic’ diplomatic efforts of the regional countries but the greatest onus remained on the members of UN security council to ensure peace and security in the world. He also lauded the UN secretary general for his effort to call for end to hostilities and allowance of humanitarian assistance.

He also called on the international media to objectively report on the ‘carnage’ in Gaza.

“Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories lies at the heart of the current crisis,” Kakar said, adding that the conflagration of the problem could engulf the entire region.

He said that even the UN had clearlyoutlined the risk of genocide and ethnic cleansing by the occupying power. He said that the injustice could lead to future wars.

“The only permanent solution to the current situation lies in the creation of a secure, viable and contiguous state of Palestine on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Sharif as its capital,” Kakar said.

He added that all countries present at the conference should work towards such a state with a ‘sense of urgency’.

Kakar said that Gaza needs an immediate reprieve from its suffering and echoed the demands of immediate ceasefire, immediate lifting of blockade, creation of conditions to provide food, water and electricity to Gaza.

He said the the OIC should also look into initiating proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice under the genocide convention. He said that the UN should be asked to set up a special commission on Israel’s war crimes.

Kakar said that settler activities must end and a political solution must be found to the issue.

“We pray to Allah to ease the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he said.