Pakistan's Defence Minister's Scathing Criticism: Israel a Curse on Humanity
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has launched a sharp critique against Israel for its continued bombardment of Lebanon. Asif described Israel as a curse on humanity due to the genocide in the country that serves as the base for the Hezbollah group.
Cited from Press TV and Anadolu Agency on Friday (10/4/2026), Asif’s criticism was voiced amid Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the war between the United States (US) and Iran. According to Asif, Israel is “evil” and “a curse on humanity”, as Tel Aviv continues to deny that the ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Iran also applies to Lebanon.
“Israel is evil and a curse on humanity, while peace negotiations are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being carried out in Lebanon,” Asif stated via social media X on Thursday (9/4) evening.
“Innocent civilians are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran, and now Lebanon, the bloodshed continues endlessly,” he condemned.
Furthermore, Asif portrayed Israel as a “cancerous state” forcibly implanted in Palestinian land. He emphasised that Israel’s existence only brings destruction and instability to the region and the wider world.
Asif also expressed hope that those who created Israel on Palestinian land “burn in hell”.
“I hope and pray that the people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land, with the aim of removing Jews from Europe, burn in hell,” he wrote.
Asif’s strong statement was made as the Israeli military intensified airstrikes across Lebanon since Wednesday (8/4), killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
As mediator, Pakistan asserted that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, with Iran issuing a similar confirmation. However, Israel and its close ally, the US, denied this.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, mediated by Pakistan, regarding the two-week ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran on Tuesday (7/4).
Netanyahu Insists No Ceasefire in Lebanon
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon”, although he has ordered the start of direct negotiations with Beirut.
Tel Aviv insists that the two-week ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran on Tuesday (7/4) does not cover Lebanon, the base of the Hezbollah group that has been engaged in fierce battles with Israel in recent times.
Netanyahu, as cited by Anadolu Agency on Friday (10/4/2026), reiterated this in a video statement posted to social media X on Thursday (9/4) local time.
“There is no ceasefire in Lebanon until security is restored for residents in the northern (Israeli settlements), Hezbollah is disarmed, and a peace agreement is reached,” Netanyahu said in the video statement.
Despite the ongoing intensity of Israel’s bombing of Lebanon, Netanyahu claimed he is working towards “true peace from a position of strength”.
“The achievements Israel has made have brought transformation in its relations with countries previously outside the scope of such relations,” he stated.
So far, there has been no official response from Lebanese authorities regarding Netanyahu’s announcement.
Netanyahu Opens Option for Dialogue with Lebanon
Netanyahu announced on Thursday (9/4) in a statement that he has instructed Tel Aviv officials to begin direct negotiations with Beirut “as soon as possible”, even as Israeli airstrikes continue across Lebanon.
In his statement, Netanyahu said the negotiations would focus on disarming Hezbollah and building “peaceful relations” between Israel and Lebanon.
The US, according to a US State Department official cited by Anadolu, will host the direct negotiations between Tel Aviv and Beirut, scheduled for next week. A statement from a senior Israeli official to US media Axios indicated that the negotiations are expected to begin next week.
The first meeting is said to be held at the US State Department building in Washington DC. The US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, will attend as Washington’s representative.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv will be represented by Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and Beirut by Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.
Israeli local media, Channel 14, reported that the negotiations “will take place under fire”, referring to the military escalation in southern Lebanon.