PETALING JAYA: Five Malaysians are caught in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it has been revealed.
They are a family comprising a mother, her daughter and the latter’s three children.
“We urge anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of relatives or anyone in the conflict areas to contact the ministry in order for us to render assistance,” said Wisma Putra in a statement yesterday.
It advised those planning to travel to the affected areas to postpone their plans.
“NGOs that still intend to travel to the affected areas are advised to refer their plans to the ministry first,” it said.
Wisma Putra also said Malaysia was deeply concerned with the increasing number of casualties and injuries to civilians in the conflict that began on Saturday.
“Malaysia strongly condemns Israel’s excessive bombardments at public areas, besides its move to block basic supplies such as water, electricity and food,” it added.
Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali (pic) called on the international community to intervene before more innocent lives are lost.
He said the international community chose to be biased in the ongoing conflict and as a result, Palestinians became victims of double standards.
“We are hoping to be treated fairly by the international community. If they are able to provide support to Ukraine (in its war against Russia), then why can’t this be done for Palestinians?” questioned Walid.
On Saturday, during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack from Gaza, which saw a barrage of rockets being fired towards Israel and armed individuals breaching security barriers.
In response, Israel retaliated with air strikes and military operations later that night, which is continuing.
Walid said Israeli forces had claimed that the ongoing airstrikes was to quash the Hamas group in Gaza.
“Let me clear it up. About 900 Palestinians are dead, among them children and women.
“Are these women and children considered part of Hamas?” he asked.
Walid said Israel was trying to convince the western world that they were countering Hamas and terrorists.
The envoy said all Palestinians, regardless of their political identity, were united against the Israeli violence.
“They are fighting Israelis because they have not been given the chance to exercise freedom in their own territory,” added Walid.
Asia Middle East Centre director Muslim Imran said the unprecedented Oct 7 attack by Hamas was a sign of huge military failure on Israel’s side and the Zionist regime was currently taking revenge on innocent Palestinians with indiscriminate aerial bombardments.
“They are literally killing civilians and they are not shy about it. They (Israel) even said they are fighting ’animals’. They are dehumanising Palestinians in order to commit mass murders,” said Muslim.
Muslim urged the international community to intervene and not close an eye to the atrocities committed against innocent civilians in the Gaza strip.
As of yesterday, reports have stated that about 900 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Wisma Putra said it is currently in the process of channelling RM1mil for early humanitarian contributions through the People’s Humanitarian Trust Account for Palestine (AAKRP), as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Monday.
