On Friday, December 27, Bennett posted a message on X/Twitter, expressing his sorrow over the deaths of Afghan civilians, including women and children, in the airstrikes.

He emphasized the need to adhere to international law and called for an investigation and accountability to prevent further harm to civilians.

Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had reported the deaths in the Pakistani airstrikes on Paktika.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also stated on Thursday that it had received reports of at least 20 children being killed in the airstrikes on the Bermal district of Paktika.

The tragic loss of life in these airstrikes highlights the growing vulnerability of civilians in conflict zones, particularly in border areas like Paktika.