‘A historic success’: Pakistan religious leader hails attack on Israel, vows to stand by Palestinians

A religious and political leader in Pakistan referred to Hamas’ fatal attack on Israel as a “historic success” and vowed to support the Palestinian people. According to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Sunday, the strike on Israel was unequivocal proof that the Palestinian cause was still alive. We reaffirm our commitment to standing behind our Palestinian brethren. The Palestinian Mujahideen’s onslaught on Israel was both a historic victory and a historic conflict. The JUI-F chief said that the Palestinian Mujahideen had liberated their regions from Israeli annexation. Rehman, also the chief of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief, also congratulated the Palestinian people, saying that the world was thinking that the Palestinian issue was dead. A section of us [Muslim world] tried unsuccessfully to recognise Israel, however, the latest incident proved that the Palestine issue is not dead, Rehman said, adding that the attack destroyed Israel’s defence system and its arrogance. Israel witnessed a surprise and unprecedented attack by Hamas militants, which rules the Gaza Strip, in its southern parts on Saturday morning. At least 700 people have been killed and more than 2,100 injured in Israel – the deadliest day for the country in at least 50 years. In the Gaza Strip, there are nearly 500 deaths and over 2,000 wounded in Israel’s counterattack, media reports said.