Islamabad/Tel Aviv: A fresh diplomatic confrontation has emerged after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made controversial remarks targeting Israel, prompting a strong response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a social media post, Asif criticised Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, alleging that violence against civilians continued despite ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to the US-Iran ceasefire. His comments, which included highly inflammatory language, triggered sharp reactions from Israeli leadership.
“Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated,” he wrote, adding “I hope and pray that the people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European Jews [sic] burn in hell.”
Responding swiftly, Netanyahu termed the remarks “unacceptable” and said such statements were incompatible with the role of any country positioning itself as a neutral mediator. He stressed that calls perceived as questioning Israel’s existence would not be tolerated.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also criticised the comments, describing them as dangerous rhetoric and warning that such language could escalate tensions further. He reiterated that Israel would continue to act against threats posed by hostile groups in the region.
The exchange marks a rare direct verbal clash between Pakistan and Israel, which do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. The situation has added strain to already fragile regional dynamics, particularly as negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Lebanon has intensified, with Israeli strikes targeting positions linked to Hezbollah. The escalation has raised concerns about the stability of the recently announced ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, especially as disagreements persist over whether Lebanon is included in the truce.
Adding to the uncertainty, reports suggest that Iran may reconsider participation in upcoming talks unless hostilities in Lebanon subside. Analysts warn that the combination of heated rhetoric and continued military activity could complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
