Pakistan defense minister urges Netanyahu’s capture over Gaza crimes

The United States should “kidnap” Benjamin Netanyahu if it believes in humanity, just as it did with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Friday.

Speaking in a televised interview, Asif added that Turkey could also kidnap Netanyahu and said that “Pakistanis are praying for it.” He described the Israeli leader as the “worst criminal of humanity” and asserted that no atrocities in history match those committed against Palestinians in Gaza.

“No community has done what Israel has done to Palestinians in the last 4,000-5,000 years. He [Netanyahu] is the biggest criminal of humanity. The world has not seen a bigger criminal,” Asif said.

Asif went on to raise the issue of accountability for those he called Netanyahu’s enablers, beginning with the words, “And what does the law say about those who support such criminals…” At that point, anchor Hamid Mir interrupted to call a break, warning that the remarks could be interpreted as a veiled reference to former US President Donald Trump and adding that Asif would be off air after the break.

‘Israel’ rejects Pakistan role in Gaza, Pakistan rejects disarming Hamas
Separately, “Israel’s” ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, rejected the idea of Pakistani military involvement in Gaza, citing security concerns. In an interview for NDTV, Azar said “Israel” is not comfortable with the Pakistan Army participating in any Gaza-related force, expressing “deep concern” over what he described as growing links between Hamas and Pakistan-based militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The Israeli envoy dismissed proposals for Pakistani participation in a potential International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza under Trump’s Gaza plan. When asked whether “Israel” would be comfortable with a role for the Pakistan Army in Gaza, Azar replied firmly, “No,” underscoring “Israel’s” opposition to any such involvement.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, said on December 28 that Islamabad is prepared to participate in an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, provided that its mandate does not include the disarmament of Hamas, which he said should remain the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority or any future Palestinian government.

“Pakistan will gladly be part of such a mission if it is strictly for peacekeeping, not peace enforcement—and does not involve disarming Hamas,” Dar said during a year-end briefing on Pakistan’s foreign policy achievements.