Lahore, May 31: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has noted with extreme concern the killing of at least 10 people in Israeli armed forces’ action against pro-Palestinian activists aboard a flotilla carrying aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Israeli commandos stormed the six ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to Gaza Strip, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens.

A statement issued by HRCP on Monday said: “The utterly barbaric manner in which Tel Aviv attacked the mercy mission aimed at getting aid to the besieged people of Gaza would be condemned by all peace-loving people, and would only aggravate a situation that is already complex. It also betrays a lack of understanding of the plight of Gaza’s people.

The resort to force by Israeli commandoes and use of live ammunition against peace activists was clearly uncalled for and avoidable.

The activists on the ships also include several Pakistanis and at least one holocaust survivor. The government of Pakistan must take up the matter at the international level to ensure that there is no impunity for such irresponsible and excessive use of force. This is also a test of the ability of the United States to ensure that its spoiled surrogate in the region does not trample the rights of the citizens of the world outraged by the plight of the blockaded people of Gaza.

I. A. Rehman

Secretary-General