In a major escalation, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday described Israel as “evil” and a “curse on humanity” over its military actions in Lebanon during a US–Iran ceasefire period, prompting a strong response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on X that was later deleted, Asif alleged that while peace discussions were taking place in Islamabad, violence in Lebanon amounted to genocide. He claimed civilians were being killed by Israel, referring to earlier conflicts in Gaza and Iran before mentioning Lebanon, and said the “bloodshed” was continuing without pause. He also added controversial remarks expressing hope that those who helped establish Israel would suffer, which drew significant criticism.

Netanyahu’s office condemned the comments, saying Asif’s call for Israel’s destruction was unacceptable and inappropriate for any government, particularly one involved in peace-related discussions. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also criticized Pakistan’s leadership, calling the remarks antisemitic and accusing them of promoting harmful narratives. He warned that labeling Israel in such terms effectively endorses its destruction, while reaffirming Israel’s intent to defend itself against threats.

The diplomatic tension follows Pakistan’s earlier condemnation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, after which Asif made his social media comments and later deleted them due to backlash. Israel, which does not have formal diplomatic relations with Pakistan, has rarely engaged directly with its leadership. However, this situation led to unusually direct exchanges. Israel’s envoy to India also stated that Pakistan is not seen as a credible mediator in peace efforts.

The broader regional situation remains tense, with Lebanon increasingly drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel earlier in the month. Israeli counterattacks reportedly caused heavy casualties, further straining an already fragile ceasefire framework involving the US and Iran. Netanyahu has clarified that while Israel supports a temporary halt in US-Iran hostilities, this arrangement does not extend to Lebanon, contradicting earlier claims by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the ceasefire was broader in scope. US officials, however, confirmed that Lebanon was not included in the agreement.

Reports suggest Iran may suspend upcoming talks with the United States in Islamabad if Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, raising concerns about potential setbacks in ongoing diplomatic efforts. The US and Iran had recently agreed to a temporary ceasefire following high-level negotiations, with Pakistan playing a mediating role and hosting planned talks in Islamabad, which were later postponed.

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