Pakistan defence minister calls Israel ‘a curse for humanity’
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has criticised Israel, describing it as “evil and a curse for humanity”, prompting a swift response from Israel.
The remarks come as Israeli air strikes continue in Lebanon, amid ongoing disagreement over whether the country is covered by the broader ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, brokered by Islamabad, which is preparing to host talks between the two sides on Saturday.
In a post on X, Asif accused Israel of “killing innocent civilians”, saying the violence began in Gaza, then spread to Iran, and has now reached Lebanon. He stressed that the bloodshed continues unabated, in one of Pakistan’s strongest statements since the war began.
In a controversial comment, he criticised those who established Israel on Palestinian land.
The statements follow a two-week temporary truce agreed between Washington and Tehran through Pakistani mediation, in a step towards a possible deal to end the war that broke out on 28 February and has left thousands dead and injured.
In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Pakistani minister’s remarks as “provocative”, saying “such rhetoric cannot be accepted from any government, especially from a country that claims to play a mediating role seeking peace.”
Asif reportedly later deleted his post on X following Israeli criticism of his remarks.