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Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called Israel a “curse for humanity” late Thursday, saying that violence continues across the region, before later deleting the post.
“Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon,” Asif said on the U.S. social media platform X in a now-deleted post.
He said innocent civilians were being killed, adding: “First Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated.”
Asif also said he hoped those who created Israel on Palestinian land “burn in hell.”
The post sparked outcry in Tel Aviv, which said it called into question Pakistan’s ability to mediate between the United States and Iran, as Islamabad is slated to host the talks.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office reacted strongly, saying such remarks cannot come from a country positioning itself as a neutral mediator.
“Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace,” it said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also criticized Asif’s language, calling it deeply offensive and dangerous. In a post on X, he said Israel views such accusations seriously and described them as “hostile rhetoric.”
The remarks came as Israeli attacks on Lebanon intensified despite ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to a two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday by the United States and Iran and brokered by Pakistan.
While Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the truce also covered Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv have denied that.
The Israeli army has intensified attacks across Lebanon since Wednesday, killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.
The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
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