This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled “Israel’s growing belligerence” carried by the newspaper on Saturday. In my view, however, for Pakistan and other regional actors seeking to stabilise the situation, the expectation is that ceasefire efforts should reduce hostilities across linked fronts. For Israel, maintaining operational momentum in Lebanon appears to take precedence, even as talks proceed elsewhere.
The result is a fragmented approach to conflict management, where diplomacy and military action move in parallel but not in alignment.
The continuation of Israeli strikes during active diplomatic efforts carries broader implications for the Levant and the Persian Gulf regions. Negotiations, by their nature, require a degree of restraint to build confidence between parties. When hostilities persist at scale, the space for meaningful dialogue narrows. The perception that talks may be used to manage optics while military objectives continue undermines the credibility of the process. Israel, therefore, has been using the ‘ceasefire’ agreement strategically for only optics and propaganda.
Sadaat Husain Arain, (Lahore)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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