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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson this week criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it a blatant violation of law and urging the international community to hold the Jewish state accountable for collectively punishing millions of civilians through the move. 

Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres warned that the suspension of aid will add significant pressure on the two million Palestinians in the enclave who are still suffering from shortages of essential goods following 16 months of war. Israel has previously accused Hamas of hijacking aid, which the group denied.

“The Government of Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms Israeli decision to block critical humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, during the holy month of Ramadan,” the foreign office said in a press release on Monday. 

“This latest action is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need. This constitutes yet another blatant violation of international law by the occupying power and could imperil the ceasefire agreement.”

Pakistan urged the international community to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and to hold the Jewish state accountable for “imposition of collective punishment” by denying millions of civilians humanitarian aid.

“We also reiterate our call for the full implementation of the agreement to secure a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza as well as the revival of a political process to achieve the two-state solution, with a viable, sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” the foreign office concluded. 

Phase two talks between Israel and Hamas to negotiate a final end to the war have barely begun. Israel, while announcing the halt to aid entry, said it will not allow a ceasefire without the release of all remaining hostages. Hamas has denounced Israel’s move as “blackmail” and a “blatant coup against the agreement.”

Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct.7, 2023, killed 1,200 people and 251 people were taken into Gaza as hostages. The subsequent Israeli campaign killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, displaced almost all of its 2.3 million population and left Gaza a wasteland.

Both sides agreed to an uneasy, six-week truce on Jan. 19 which paved the way for the release of hostages from both sides. Israel’s move to block humanitarian aid to Gaza has renewed fears among the international community that the conflict would restart. 

KARACHI: The World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan has developed a smartphone application for citizens to report wildlife crimes in the South Asian country, it said on Monday.
Pakistan is home to majestic wildlife, including common and snow leopards, brown and black bears, Indian pangolins, freshwater and sea turtles, Indus River dolphins, and diverse species of resident and migratory birds.
However, these wildlife species continue to face serious threats from wildlife crimes such as illegal trade, poaching, hunting and ill-treatment, according to WWF-Pakistan.
It said the application has been developed to report wildlife crimes and coordinate “meaningful” actions by government departments and law enforcement agencies against these crimes.
“Addressing wildlife crimes requires an inclusive approach involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and local communities,” WWF-Pakistan quoted its director-general, Hammad Naqi Khan, as saying in a statement.
“Tackling such crimes could be improved by building capacity, fostering collaboration, raising awareness, and creating enabling conditions that integrate the expertise of AI (artificial intelligence) specialists, conservation experts, and members of local communities.”
Wildlife and their habitats are essential for the economic and social well-being of communities and nations. Effective wildlife conservation requires innovative technologies, effective policies, and community engagement plans to ensure local populations recognize the value of coexistence with wildlife, according to WWF-Pakistan.
Advanced technologies such as software applications, AI, camera traps, and satellite data can help address wildlife threats, monitor conservation performance, and promote effective strategies for the protection of threatened wildlife.
Khan said the WWF-Pakistan application would create a platform for wildlife officials, conservation experts and the public to interact and share valuable information about illegal wildlife activities.
“To protect the wildlife, we need to work together and take immediate action to combat wildlife crime as it is one of the key reasons for species decline at local, national, and international levels,” he added.
A link to the WWF-Pakistan application will soon be available on the Google Play Store, according to WWF-Pakistan.
“This application will report and collect data on wildlife crimes, enabling the relevant departments and agencies to take action against wildlife criminals,” it said.