Pakistan, Saudi Arabia express concern over ceasefire violations in Lebanon

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have expressed deep concern over ceasefire violations by Israel in Lebanon.

The concern was expressed during telephonic conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The two dignitaries stressed the urgent need for full respect and implementation of the ceasefire to ensure lasting peace & stability.

DPM Dar appreciated Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Pakistan’s efforts toward achieving lasting peace. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

The development comes amid Israel’s heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah last month, even as the Iran-aligned group paused attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon under a two-week US-Iran ceasefire.

Consecutive explosions shook Beirut, sending smoke billowing across the capital, as Israel’s military said it had launched the largest coordinated strike of the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ⁠said overnight that the ceasefire suspending the six-week-old U.S.-Israeli war against Iran did not apply to Lebanon, and the Israeli military said operations against Hezbollah there would continue.

Israel backs Trump’s two-week pause on Iran strikes, says Lebanon excluded

That position contradicted comments by Pakistani Prime Minister ​Shehbaz Sharif, a key intermediary in the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks, who had said the truce would include Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has also condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the widespread destruction of infrastructure.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Israeli actions undermine international efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and constitute a blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles.

He said Pakistan calls upon the international community to take urgent and concrete steps to end Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Government and people of Lebanon during this difficult time. He said Pakistan supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its peace and stability.