United Nations, New York — Pakistan has demanded the immediate implementation of the Gaza Reconstruction Plan endorsed by OIC and Arab Group during a preparatory session at the UN in New York. This session aimed to lay down groundwork for an upcoming international conference on Israel-Palestine conflict scheduled to be held June 17-20 at UN headquarters, according to Radio Pakistan and ARY NEWS (VOSA and ARY News, respectively). Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed that prolonged occupation of Palestinian lands was at the core of this conflict and stated “only through ending this occupation can we ensure a just and lasting peace”. Arab News Pakun ARY NEWS +5 ARY NEWS The June conference co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France seeks to advance global efforts toward reaching a two-state solution for Palestine/Israel. It will feature eight thematic roundtables aimed at realigning expectations and finalizing arrangements. +1 Pakun Ambassador Asim noted the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and noted the erosion of a two-state solution through illegal settlements and unilateral measures taken by an occupying power. He called for an active international response to address these challenges. Philemon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, encouraged member states to seize this crucial opportunity to make progress. “The horrors we have witnessed over nineteen months should prompt us to act swiftly to end Israel-Palestine Conflict,” he suggested. France and Saudi Arabia both stressed the need for this conference to produce tangible results. Anne-Claire Legendre, Middle East and North Africa Advisor of French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “It is imperative that we move from words to deeds; from ending the war in Gaza to ending this conflict itself.” Pakun. Manal bint Hassan Radwan, head of Saudi Arabian negotiating team, described this momentous opportunity as historic. She stressed the need to develop a strategy and implement plans of action quickly so as to end civilian suffering immediately. Ambassador Asim expressed Pakistan’s firm support for an equitable, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question based on international law and relevant UN resolutions. He called for the creation of a mechanism to monitor enforcement of such resolutions while operationalizing Gaza Reconstruction Plans. Pakun +2 The Gaza Reconstruction Plan includes projects such as a Gaza-West Bank transit corridor, seaport reconstruction and industrial zones to ensure territorial cohesion and Palestinian unity. As the international community prepares to convene for the June conference, Pakistan’s call underlines the urgent nature of addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and moving toward a two-state solution.
