Seven decades of illegal occupation of Palestine results in current state.

ISLAMABAD -- Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Sunday called out Israel for committing genocide against the people of Palestine as atrocities in Gaza continue to rage on. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he described the current situation as a consequence of "seven decades of illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories". Israel committed aggression and conducted aerial attacks over Gaza, resulting in the deaths of scores of women and children, said Jillani, adding that any attempt to equate Israel, an aggressor, with the Palestinians' struggle for self-determination is "unacceptable". He categorically maintained that there was no change in

Pakistan's policy regarding Israel. It would continue pursuing the same policy adopted in the past and would continue to do so until the Palestinians attain their right to self-determination under United Nations Security Council and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions, he said. The interim minister reteriated that Pakistan condemns the siege of Gaza as the Palestinian people continue to face unabated Israeli aggression while deprived of water, food and power. The situation has lead to a severe human crisis, he said. Jillani asserted that Israel should respect and implement international laws, the UNSC and the OIC resolutions over Palestinians' rights to self-determination for an independent state.

He stated that an emergency meeting of the executive committee of OIC will be held in Jeddah on October 18 to discuss the ongoing situation in Palestine. FM Jilani further stressed on the separate status of Palestine under the two-state policy accepted by the international community, with an independent state of Palestine having pre1967 borders, with Al-Quds AlSharif as its capital. Regarding humanitarian aid for besieged Palestinians, Jillani said that his office was in touch with the international community and Muslim countries. "Unfortunately, there is a complete siege of Gaza." He said this aspect would be highlighted during the upcoming OIC executive committee meeting, where they would consider the coordinated response of OIC member countries on how to end the violence perpetrated by Israel and provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

Pakistan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance and has been in touch with the Egyptian authorities, he apprised, adding that the OIC committee meeting would make a forceful case for the early resolution...