
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called Israel a "curse for humanity" and "cancerous state" on social media. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office called the statement "outrageous" and unacceptable. The remarks questioned Pakistan's credibility as a neutral mediator in ongoing Middle East peace negotiations. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated commitment to diplomacy minutes later. Israel's ambassador to India stated Pakistan lacks credibility as a peace broker.