Pakistan's UN Envoy Strongly Condemns Israeli Military Actions in Lebanon
During an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, delivered a powerful statement reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting was convened to address the escalating situation in Lebanon, where Israeli military actions have caused widespread devastation.
Lebanon's Resilience and Cultural Heritage Praised
Ambassador Jadoon opened his remarks by highlighting Lebanon's unique character as a nation of "extraordinary diversity," shaped by "layers of civilisations and a rich cultural and historical heritage." He praised the Lebanese people for their "remarkable resilience" and their ability to maintain a "vibrant social fabric based on coexistence among diverse communities and traditions."
The Pakistani diplomat emphasized that Lebanon desperately needs a period of calm to achieve its goals of peace and stability. He warned that renewed hostilities pose a serious risk, threatening not only critical infrastructure but also civilian lives, and risk reversing the fragile political and security progress Lebanon had begun to make before the current crisis erupted.
Strong Condemnation of Israeli Military Aggression
"Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's continued military aggression in southern Lebanon," Ambassador Jadoon declared unequivocally. He presented harrowing statistics, noting that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 civilians, including at least 83 children and 42 women. Furthermore, he stated that more than 600,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
These figures were corroborated by other UN agencies. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Lebanon, Karolina Lindholm Billing, reported that Israeli air strikes and evacuation orders have forced nearly 700,000 people to flee within just over a week. She noted that more than 667,000 people had registered as displaced on the government's online platform, with the figure rising by over 100,000 in a single day.
Lebanese authorities provided updated casualty figures, stating that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 486 people and wounded at least 1,313. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, confirmed that 84 of those killed were children.
Call for Immediate Ceasefire and Respect for International Law
"Large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure and blatant violations of international humanitarian law must cease immediately," Ambassador Jadoon asserted. He stressed that the use of force in Lebanon should remain the exclusive prerogative of the Lebanese state through its legitimate constitutional institutions.
"The Lebanese Armed Forces play a central role in this regard, and Pakistan supports efforts to strengthen their capacity and operational effectiveness," the Pakistani envoy added, underscoring Pakistan's commitment to supporting Lebanon's sovereign institutions.
Ambassador Jadoon also condemned attacks on United Nations peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of attacks against UN peacekeepers, including those injured in Israeli strikes, and emphasized that their safety and security must be ensured at all times.
Demand for Israeli Withdrawal and Implementation of UN Resolutions
The Pakistani envoy described Israeli military activities in southern Lebanon, including the continued presence of forces and the establishment of positions inside Lebanese territory, as "illegal and unacceptable." He issued a clear demand: "We call on Israel to immediately, fully and unconditionally withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories."
Ambassador Jadoon stressed that lasting peace requires the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity along the Blue Line. He warned that the situation in Lebanon cannot be separated from wider tensions in the Middle East, making de-escalation even more critical.
"At this delicate juncture, negotiation and diplomacy must take precedence over confrontation," he stated. "De-escalation, restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement are urgently needed."
Pakistan's Firm Stance and Call for International Action
Concluding his powerful address, Ambassador Jadoon affirmed that Pakistan stands firmly with the Lebanese government and people. He called upon the international community to take urgent action to prevent further escalation, alleviate human suffering, and support Lebanon's efforts to restore peace and stability across its territory.
The context of the conflict reveals a troubling pattern. Despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah since November 2024, Israel has continued near-daily violations that have left hundreds dead and wounded. Israel's offensive in Lebanon, which began in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024, has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths and 17,000 injuries.
Lebanon was dragged into the wider Middle East conflict when Hezbollah fired at Israel, prompting a new military campaign that has killed nearly 300 people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Reuters footage from the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, showed buildings reduced to mounds of smoking rubble and twisted metal.
In a separate statement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that the Lebanese government and all of Lebanon would "pay a heavy price" if Hezbollah is not disarmed. While stating Israel had no territorial claims against Lebanon, Katz said Israel would not allow cross-border fire.
Lebanon's government had instructed the army last year to establish a state monopoly on arms, and troops had confiscated Hezbollah's weapons in parts of the south. However, senior Lebanese officials and security sources acknowledged that pursuing this plan fully could cause internal tensions, as Hezbollah has refused to give up its arsenals completely.
An Israeli military official told Reuters that Israeli operations were now acting "to remove the threat from Lebanon." In a related development, Israeli helicopters dropped troops near Nabi Chit in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley overnight. Israel's military stated the operation aimed to seek the remains of Ron Arad, an Israeli airforce navigator missing since 1986, though no findings related to him were recovered.
Ambassador Usman Jadoon's statement at the UN Security Council represents Pakistan's firm diplomatic stance against aggression and its commitment to international law, sovereignty, and the protection of civilian lives in conflict zones.
