Hamas thanks M'sia for support - The Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has received a personal update direct from Hamas on the situation in Palestine.

The Prime Minister took a telephone call from Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who also wanted to express his appreciation for Malaysia’s support of the Palestinian cause.

Muhyiddin said he was very disturbed to hear from the Hamas leader, who called from Doha on Saturday, about the plight of Muslims in Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, which he described as heart-breaking.

“On behalf of the people of Malaysia, I express my condolences and sadness on the loss of life and injuries inflicted on Palestinians by the Israeli regime’s vicious attacks, ” he said in Facebook yesterday.

The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11km and Israel on the east and north along a 51km border.

Muhyiddin added that Ismail expressed his utmost appreciation to Malaysians for their continued support to the Palestinians and concern over their plight.

In reaffirming Malaysia’s support for the Palestinian struggle, the Prime Minister said Malaysia was continuing with efforts to fight for the rights of the people of Palestine.

He reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to seek ways to extend appropriate assistance to ease the sufferings of Palestinians.

Muhyiddin also shared the concerns and initiatives of local NGOs which were actively organising humanitarian aid as they stood in full solidarity with the Palestinian people in these trying times.

In a press statement, Hamas chief press secretary Taher Nunu said besides praising Malaysia’s role, Ismail also touched on the historic relationship between Malaysia and Palestine.

In their conversation, Taher said Muhyiddin also emphasised the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, as well as to end the occupation and gain independence.

He said with Malaysia working with several Islamic countries to move forward the Palestinian people’s cause and provide immediate humanitarian support through relevant institutions were greatly appreciated.

It was reported that the Israeli Zionist regime’s aggression against the Palestinians started with the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque on May 7, followed by airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on May 10.

So far, 119 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and hundreds more injured. — Bernama