Pakistan, Aug. 9 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza. Instead, he claimed the goal is to "free Gaza from Hamas." His statement came after Israel's security cabinet approved a controversial plan for military control over Gaza. Several Western countries, including Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the UK, opposed the move.

The five nations issued a joint statement rejecting further military escalation in Gaza. They expressed strong support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Pakistan also condemned the Israeli plan, saying it amounts to a dangerous expansion of war against Palestinians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the move an a...