In a significant show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, Pakistan has declared a national day of mourning for the assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The decision, encapsulated in the headline Pakistan Declares National Day of Mourning for Slain Hamas Chief, reflects the South Asian nation’s strong stance against what it perceives as a violation of international law by Israel.

Pakistan’s Official Response and Condemnation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been vocal in his criticism of the assassination, describing it as a “blatant violation of international law.” Addressing ruling alliance lawmakers in Islamabad, Sharif emphasized that “Israel has trampled upon all international laws by committing this act.” The Prime Minister’s strong words underscore Pakistan’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and its opposition to Israeli actions in the region.

The national day of mourning served as both a commemoration of Haniyeh’s life and a condemnation of the circumstances of his death. This decisive action by the Pakistani government sends a clear message to the international community about its position on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Details of the Assassination and International Reactions

Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted his residence in Tehran, Iran. The assassination occurred just a day after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, adding a layer of diplomatic complexity to the situation. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at Tel Aviv’s involvement.

The assassination has drawn criticism from various quarters, with Pakistan being particularly vocal. Prime Minister Sharif lamented the silence of Western nations on Haniyeh’s killing, describing it as a “test” for the developed world. He criticized the international community’s muted response to what he termed “blatant brutalities” committed by Netanyahu’s government.

The Pakistani leader also paid tribute to Haniyeh’s sacrifices for the Palestinian cause, noting that Israel had previously killed Haniyeh’s sons and other family members during the ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip. This personal angle adds emotional weight to Pakistan’s response and further justifies, in their view, the decision to declare a national day of mourning.

Regional and International Perspectives

The assassination of Haniyeh has reverberated beyond Pakistan, drawing reactions from other Muslim-majority countries. Notably, veteran Malaysian statesman Mahathir Mohamed offered a heartfelt tribute to Haniyeh, describing him as a “soft-spoken” and “impressive” leader. Mahathir, who served twice as Malaysia’s Prime Minister, spoke of his personal acquaintance with Haniyeh, praising his “unrelenting quest in fighting for the liberation of Palestine against Israel’s occupation.”

Mahathir’s words paint a picture of Haniyeh as a man of principle and courage, guided by “a moral compass that is based on humanity and religious conviction.” The former Malaysian leader didn’t mince words in his condemnation of Israel, describing it as a “rogue, genocidal nation” and criticizing those who support the “Zionist regime” as “hypocrites and the actual terrorists.”

These international reactions highlight the broader impact of Haniyeh’s assassination on Muslim-majority countries and their perception of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They also underscore the potential for this event to further strain diplomatic relations between Israel and nations sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

The assassination of Haniyeh occurs against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Gaza. Israel’s military campaign, which began following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 39,445 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities. The conflict has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and created a humanitarian crisis, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

The decision that Pakistan Declares National Day of Mourning for Slain Hamas Chief represents a significant diplomatic stance in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. It not only honors the memory of a leader seen as pivotal to the Palestinian cause but also serves as a public condemnation of what Pakistan views as Israel’s violation of international law. As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, this move by Pakistan may influence how other nations, particularly in the Muslim world, respond to the ongoing conflict and its wider implications for regional stability.