Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted an attack on Iran to divert international attention from Gaza.

In a statement posted on X, Asif said that the international media’s attention had shifted following the strike on Iran. “By attacking Iran Netanyahu has attempted to divert international attention away from Gaza,” he wrote. 

Asif further alleged that the Israeli prime minister was using the regional escalation to advance his objectives in Palestinian territories. “International media is focused on Iran now which gives Netanyahu space to quietly go ahead with his genocidal agenda in Gaza and West Bank. ” he said.

Asif also criticised Netanyahu’s leadership, linking the widening conflict to what he termed personal motives. “Netanyahu's demonic personal ambitions have plunged Palestine and rest of ME into worst tragedy of human history,” he stated.

His comments came amid heightened tensions in the region after Israel and US strikes on Iran. Following the initial strikes, Iran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at U.S. interests and allied positions in the Gulf, which has drawn widespread international attention and shifted the focus of global coverage.