Amid uncertainty over the Iran-US war, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparked anger from Israel after referring to the nation as 'evil' and a 'cancerous state'. Israel hit back at the Pakistani minister, casting doubts on the country's neutrality as a peace arbiter.
Asif's remarks came at a time when Pakistan is playing the peacemaker in the US-Iran war, with likely talks between delegations of Tehran and Washington scheduled in Islamabad. Israel responded to the comments, saying that such remarks coming from Pakistan's defence minister do not reflect neutrality as a peace arbiter.
Israel views the comments as blatant antisemitic blood libels and called for its annihilation. Israel will defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction, said Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister.
Islamabad is hosting peace talks between the US and Iran, after the Islamic Republic agreed to a two-week ceasefire. However, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu again asserted that there is 'no ceasefire in Lebanon' and vowed to continue military operations with 'full force' against Hezbollah.
