Riyadh: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the region. He was speaking at the Council of Foreign Ministers' Preparatory meeting for the Second Arab-Islamic Summit on the Situation in the Middle East in Riyadh today. He condemned Israel's war crimes and crimes against humanity against the people of Palestine, and called for its accountability. According to Radio Pakistan, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the death toll of innocent Palestinians has surpassed 44,000, with over a hundred thousand injured and millions displaced. He highlighted that civilian infrastructures, including homes, schools, hospitals, and humanitarian shelters, have been deliberately targeted and destroyed. Ishaq Dar pointed out that international humanitarian access to Palestinians has been further restricted. He mentioned that the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has labeled Gaza as the most dangerous place in the world for aid workers. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring unrestricted humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. Expressing concern over Israeli actions, Dar noted the broader regional implications, stating that the conflict has extended to Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. He asserted Pakistan's strong condemnation of Israel's military actions against these countries, deeming them a direct violation of the UN Charter and international law. In response to the ongoing conflict, the Deputy Prime Minister proposed the appointment of a Joint Arab-Islamic Special Envoy on the Middle East to act as a focal point for coordinating the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Joint-Arab-Islamic Summits. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to advocating for the rights of Palestinians until the establishment of a viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He lauded the efforts of the OIC and the Arab League for their steadf ast dedication to the Palestinian cause. Lastly, he expressed optimism that the new US administration, following recent elections, would prioritize efforts to promote peace in the Middle East in line with UN resolutions and international law.