Attempt to equate Israel's aggression to Palestinians' struggle unacceptable: Jillani.

ISLAMABAD -- As Israel's brutalities continued against innocent population in Gaza, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Sunday equated Israel's airstrikes civilians and the siege of the territory to conducting genocide of the people of Palestine, saying Pakistan condemned the siege of Gaza and aggression and airstrikes on Palestinians.

'Any attempt to equate Israel's aggression to that of Palestinians' struggle is unacceptable to Pakistan and Palestinians' right to self-determination must be respected and Palestine should be given a status of separate and independent state, accepted by not only Israel but also the international community with pre-1967 borders with Quds Al-Sharif as its capital', Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Islamabad here on Sunday.

The minister noted that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had called an emergency meeting of its executive committee in Jeddah on October 18, adding that he would be in attendance.

'Certainly, Palestine is a very, very, important issue for us. We will certainly discuss the ongoing situation. There is absolutely no doubt that Israel has committed aggression. They have conducted airstrikes on the civilian population which has resulted in the death of several innocent men, women and children,' he said, adding that Pakistan also condemned the 'siege of Gaza'.

The statement comes after Israel imposed a 'total siege' to stop food and fuel from reaching the enclave of 2.3 million people, many poor and dependent on aid in response to a surprise Hamas offensive last week that left 1,300 Israelis dead, according to officials.

In retaliatory air and artillery strikes, Israeli forces have flattened entire neighbourhoods, hospitals and schools in Gaza. Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since last week have killed at least 2,215 people, including 724 children, the Palestinian territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry said on Saturday.

Jilani noted that the residents of Gaza did not have access to food, water or health facilities. 'This is a situation that can be equated with genocide. Matter of fact it is a genocide being conducted by Israel against the poor people of Palestine.'

He said that Pakistan's position was that Israel must respect United Nations resolutions which recognised the right of self-determination. 'We also feel that this is also the result of seven decades of illegal occupation of [...]...