Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged nationwide protests across Pakistan on Tuesday to show solidarity with the people of Palestine. The demonstrations were organized to mark the second anniversary of Hamas’ Al-Aqsa Flood operation, a turning point that escalated the conflict in Gaza.
According to international reports, Israel’s ongoing strikes have claimed the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians since the beginning of the war. The relentless bombardment has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, forcing a majority of the enclave’s 2.2 million residents into homelessness, hunger, and extreme poverty.
Thousands of Pakistanis poured into the streets in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, and other cities to voice support for Palestinians. Protesters carried Palestinian flags, raised placards, and chanted slogans against Israel and the United States, accusing both of being responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Many participants also demanded an immediate ceasefire and called on world powers to end their silence on the ongoing tragedy.
JI leaders addressing the rallies said the purpose of the demonstrations was to remind the global community that Palestinians are not alone in their struggle. They criticized international institutions for what they described as their failure to stop the mass killings and destruction. Speakers stressed that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity.
The protests were not limited to one city but spread across Pakistan in the form of hundreds of small and large rallies. In Karachi, one of the largest gatherings saw crowds marching with banners that read “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine.” In Lahore, the demonstrations moved through the city center, while in Peshawar and Islamabad, participants blocked roads to highlight the urgency of their message.
The protestors’ demands went beyond a ceasefire. They called for humanitarian aid corridors to be opened in Gaza and for global organizations to ensure accountability for war crimes. Participants also urged Muslim countries to take a united stance in supporting Palestinians at international forums.
The timing of these protests is significant as discussions about accountability and human rights continue to dominate global debates. In this context, revelations by political figures like Mushtaq Ahmed, who highlighted the torture of GSF activists in Israeli detention, add weight to concerns over human rights abuses linked to the conflict.
JI leaders have vowed to continue organizing such rallies until tangible steps are taken internationally to protect Palestinians and bring an end to the war in Gaza.
