Peaceful Sit-in Protest at D-Chowk Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan—Save Gaza Campaign is calling for a sit-in protest today, as the Palestinian crisis in Gaza reaches its 210th day. Israel continues on its genocidal warpath with no end in sight.

As efforts intensify to secure a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, it is time for people to unite and increase the pressure on the Israeli leadership to not back away from meeting the core demands of Hamas. Representing the will of the Palestinian people Hamas says it wants guarantees from the United States that Israel will not launch a ground invasion in southern Rafah, as Israeli officials insist the attack will happen regardless of whether a ceasefire deal is reached.

The United Nations says “full-blown famine” has engulfed northern Gaza and is spreading south as Israel continues to limit the amount of food aid getting into the war-battered territory.

At least 34,654 Palestinians have been killed and 77,908 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of people still held captive.

And as the world leaders watch on in silence, the people look towards the youth in hopes of garnering enough attention and strength so the governments may be compelled to listen to their demands and take decisive action towards a peaceful and just solution to the crisis.

Students from at least 120 different campuses across the United States of America have set up protest encampments over the Israel Gaza war, despite police violence. These encampments are quickly spreading to universities and colleges across the world. The youth is beginning to question the powers that be at every forum, also calling out ambassadors and various speakers over their role in the Israel-Gaza war, demanding a ceasefire.

As the International Court of Justice slams the threats issued against the organization for issuing the arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of the Israeli leadership, the ugly face of the ethics of the Western Liberal Democracy is increasingly unveiled for the world to see.

It is time to recognize that at every level of society, people are beginning to wake up and question the status quo. Young people coming together in joint action has served as a major engine of social transformation throughout human history.

We will not give it, we will not forget, and we will not back down. Once again we come together to urge the government to take decisive action to:

1. Call for an immediate global intervention and heightened pressure for an immediate ceasefire.
2. Establish a formal team to join South Africa in the prosecution of Israel for crimes against humanity in the International Court of Justice.
3. Initiate proceedings on Israel’s war crimes in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
4. Undertake diplomatic demarche with the ambassadors of the United States, Great Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
5. Facilitate ground and sea routes for humanitarian aid, including the dispatch of a naval fleet to deliver substantial quantities of food, medicine, and essential supplies. 

It is the duty of the sovereign state of Pakistan to protect her youth, lean on her unique geo-political and unite the people nationally and internationally to compel Israel towards a peaceful and just solution to this horrific problem that threatens to destabilize the entire world.