Israel has rejected Pakistan’s role as a credible mediator in the ongoing Middle East conflict, even as the United States continued to engage Islamabad in diplomatic efforts linked to its conflict matrix involving Iran and its allies.
Speaking in New Delhi, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said his country does not view Pakistan as a reliable player in mediation. He noted that Washington’s decision to involve Pakistan was driven by its own strategic considerations.
What the Israeli Envoy Said
- On Pakistan’s Credibility: “We don’t see Pakistan as a credible player.”
- On US Strategy: “I think that the United States has decided to use the services of the facilitation of Pakistan for their own reasons.”
- On Past Precedents: “We have seen in the past how the United States has managed to take problematic states like Qatar and Turkey and use them for the benefit of achieving an agreement with Hamas.”
- On US Coordination: “For us, it is very important to stay in sync with the United States when it comes to the substance and the essence of the outcome we want to see.”
The Escalation in Lebanon
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Beirut (commercial and residential areas) |
| Timing | Hours after ceasefire announcement |
| Casualties | At least 182 killed, hundreds injured |
| Significance | Deadliest day in current Israel-Hezbollah conflict |
The remarks came against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in Lebanon. Israeli strikes hit densely populated commercial and residential areas in central Beirut on Wednesday, just hours after a ceasefire was announced in the US-Israel war involving Iran.
Trump’s Clarification
President Donald Trump, speaking to PBS News Hour, clarified that Lebanon was not covered under the ceasefire arrangement, citing the presence of Hezbollah. Responding to questions about the strikes, he described the situation as a “separate skirmish.”
Pakistan’s Mediation Effort
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mediator | Pakistan (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif) |
| Next Step | Islamabad talks on Friday (April 10) |
| Participants | Representatives of Washington and Tehran |
| Goal | Finalise ceasefire to the Middle East conflict |
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited representatives of Washington and Tehran to Islamabad on Friday to further discuss and finalise the final ceasefire to the Middle East conflict.
In a post on X, Sharif announced: “With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.”
He added that both parties have displayed “remarkable wisdom and understanding” and remained “constructively engaged” in furthering the cause of peace and stability.
