In a recent convention held in Pakistan's capital, Hamas leaders and Islamic scholars gathered to discuss the Israel-Gaza conflict and highlighted the potential role of Pakistan, a country armed with nuclear weapons. The conference, titled "The sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the responsibility of the Islamic Ummah," was organized by the Pakistan Ummah Unity Assembly, a network of Islamic religious organizations.

During the convention, Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, made a statement urging Pakistan to exert its influence on the conflict. Haniyeh argued, "Pakistan is a strong country. If Pakistan threatens Israel, then the war can stop. We have lots of expectations from Pakistan. Pakistan can force Israel to retreat." He also referred to Jews as the "biggest enemy of Muslims in the world."

The conference also saw the attendance of Naji Zuhair, another key Hamas leader. The event recognized Hamas fighters as a "political force" engaged in a "defensive jihad." This gathering took place just two months after Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 civilians and the capture of numerous hostages.

Providing an account of the casualties, the Hamas-run Health Ministry claimed that Israel's offensive had led to the deaths of more than 18,700 Palestinians, without differentiating between combatants and civilians. However, Israel has disputed these figures.

Following a brief ceasefire in November, Hamas released over 100 of the 240 hostages captured during the earlier attack. The exchange involved the release of Palestinian prisoners, mainly women and minors. Hamas has announced that further releases will only occur once the conflict ends, and they intend to demand the liberation of a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

The comments made during the convention have garnered attention, with Pakistani newspapers reporting on them extensively and the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) highlighting them to bridge the communication gap between the West and the Middle East.

The appeal by Hamas for Pakistan to intervene in the conflict adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches anxiously for potential developments and their potential impact on the longstanding Israel-Gaza conflict.