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Israel Rebukes Pakistan Minister Over "Annihilation" Call Amid Ceasefire Crisis

Israel has issued a sharp rebuke to Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, calling his statement for Israel's "annihilation" outrageous and intolerable. Asif had accused Israel of being "evil" and committing genocide in Lebanon, complicating ongoing peace negotiations. The incident adds strain to a fragile ceasefire and embarrasses Pakistan, which had previously fumbled the terms of the truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has simultaneously denied any ceasefire in Lebanon, vowing to continue military operations against Hezbollah.

Key Points: Israel Rebukes Pakistan Minister, Ceasefire at Risk

  • Israel rebukes Pakistani Defence Minister
  • Khawaja Asif called Israel "evil and a curse"
  • Fragile ceasefire further jeopardized
  • Pakistan's mediator role questioned
  • Netanyahu vows continued strikes in Lebanon
2 min read

"Can't be tolerated": Israel rebukes Pakistan Defence Minister as ceasefire hangs by thread

Israel condemns Pakistan Defence Minister's call for its "annihilation," questioning Pakistan's neutrality as US-Iran peace talks falter.

"Pakistan Defence Minister's call for Israel's annihilation is outrageous. - Israel's Prime Minister's Office"

Tel Aviv, April 10

Israel on Thursday put Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in his place, strongly objecting to the latter's statement and questioning Pakistan's neutrality as a mediator in US-Iran negotiations.

In a statement, Israel's Prime Minister's Office rebuked Khawaja Asif, stating that his "call for Israel's annihilation is outrageous" and slammed Pakistan's government over its conduct.

"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," Israel's Prime Minister's Office said.

This comes after Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, called Israel "evil and a curse for humanity" accusing it of committing "genocide" in Lebanon while peace negotiations are underway.

"Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon. Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated," he said.

"I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell," he added.

The Pakistan Defence Minister's statement has put the fragile ceasefire at more risk, even before the commencement of the negotiations in Islamabad.

This adds more embarrassment after Pakistan's fumble in clearly defining the terms of the two-week ceasefire. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif had claimed that Lebanon was also a part of the peace deal--a claim firmly dismissed by both US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu again asserted that there is "no ceasefire in Lebanon" and vowed to continue military operations with "full force" against Hezbollah.

"I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Watching from a distance, it's clear this rhetoric makes everything worse. Civilians are suffering on all sides. Calling for the annihilation of a state is a call for more violence, not peace. The focus should be on protecting innocent lives and finding a diplomatic solution.
V
Vikram M
This is a serious diplomatic blunder by Pakistan. First, they fumble the ceasefire terms, and now this. It shows a lack of seriousness and professionalism at the highest level. Israel's reaction is strong, but understandable when someone in that position uses such language. 🙄
P
Priya S
As an Indian, our country's stance has always been for a sovereign, independent, viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side-by-side at peace with Israel. Hateful rhetoric from any side derails this goal. The suffering in Gaza and Lebanon is heartbreaking.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, while the minister's words are too harsh, we cannot ignore the ongoing violence. Netanyahu saying "no ceasefire in Lebanon" and vowing "full force" is also escalating the situation. Both sides need to step back. The world is tired of this conflict.
K
Kavya N
It's a complex issue with deep historical pain. But wishing for people to "burn in hell" from an official account? That's just not done. It loses any moral high ground and makes Pakistan look like an unreliable mediator. Very disappointing.

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