UNITED NATIONS, May 20: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned recent Israeli incursions in the Rafah area which left scores of Palestinian civilians dead or fatally injured.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that adopted a resolution on the issue, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Nations Munir Akram stressed that the Israeli actions would deteriorate the security situation which already remained fragile because of the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab territory.

Mr Akram said: "The blatant attack on the demonstrators protesting against the massive military operation is the latest violation of the international humanitarian law, specially Israel's obligations as an occupying power under the Geneva Conventions."

"The Security Council has the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. We believe that silence at this critical juncture is not an option for the council," he added.

FOREIGN OFFICE: According to APP, a foreign office spokesman in a statement said collective punishment and lack of respect for the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and other international obligations by the Israeli government would only aggravate the cycle of violence.