Renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam, in response to Israel’s deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinians and mourned the tragic loss of innocent lives in the ongoing conflict.
As the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip continued, the toll reached a devastating 2,300 Palestinians martyred, with more than 700 children among them. An additional 9,042 individuals sustained injuries due to the relentless airstrikes.
On his social media account, Atif Aslam shared his heartfelt sentiment, saying, “Mourning the loss of innocent lives in Palestine. Let’s stand together and pray for healing, peace, and a place to call home.” His post featured the caption, “Allah apna reham ferma” ([Oh] Allah, have mercy [on Palestinians]).
Aslam’s heartfelt gesture adds to the growing chorus of Pakistani celebrities condemning the brutalization of Palestinians by Israel. Previously, Pakistani actor Ushna Shah criticized celebrities who chose to remain silent or played “both sides” in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza with airstrikes served as the backdrop for her impassioned statement.
Shah declared, “So what if I never get to audition for that Hollywood special everyone thinks they have a shot at, so what if I never again get a commercial for a multinational or become the face of a big beauty brand.” She continued, “When my descendants look back at these years from now, they’ll find me on the right side of history […] Continue to worship your ‘both sides’ idols if you like, just know that these statements are curated by PR teams for people I like to call cowards with no substance.”
Amidst the ongoing conflict, thousands of Palestinians sought refuge in southern Gaza after Israel’s warning of an impending ground offensive against Hamas. Regrettably, even in Khan Younis, they found no respite from Israel’s relentless bombardment.
As civilians moved towards southern Gaza, Israeli warplanes targeted a four-story building, leading to the loss of several lives and injuries. Dozens of Palestinians bravely rushed to rescue those trapped in the rubble.
Simultaneously, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops prepared for a ground assault on the region, pledging to annihilate Hamas fighters in retaliation for their incursion into Israeli towns eight days prior.
The escalating concern centers on the fate of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, one of the world’s most densely populated areas, housing 2.4 million people, amidst the looming threat of intense urban combat and house-to-house fighting.
Aid agencies have emphasized the immense challenges in relocating Gazans amidst the ongoing war. Meanwhile, due to the Israeli blockade, concerns are mounting over the dwindling supplies of food, water, fuel, and medical necessities, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
