Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explained that Malaysia supports the peace plan presented by the United States to end the conflict in Gaza, but stressed that the support is conditional.
According to him, any initiative towards reconciliation is very important to stop the ongoing killing and destruction in Gaza, but the plan must recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, resolve the issue in the West Bank, and restore the rights of the displaced Palestinians.
Anwar said that Malaysia's stance is in line with several other Islamic countries that are of the view that the peace process needs to be concluded immediately since the killing of civilians, including women and children, is still ongoing.
He also stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is now very critical and close to famine, therefore Malaysia views seriously any international initiative that can end the suffering.
The Prime Minister also announced that Malaysia is not included in the group of countries invited to attend the peace plan negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, following the stance of conditional support for the United States' proposal.
He explained that the peace plan, which contains 20 points, does not touch on the rights of the Palestinian people, their statehood status, and the issue of the Zionist regime's occupation of the West Bank, making it inconsistent with Malaysia's principles of struggle in defending Palestinian sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Anwar also announced that Malaysia's stance in calling for a ceasefire and stopping the destruction in Gaza has received official appreciation from Hamas, through a letter he received on Monday.
Malaysia is currently focusing efforts on rebuilding important infrastructure in Gaza, including schools, hospitals and mosques, with the cooperation of foreign countries such as Japan, China, Brazil and South Africa, which have also expressed their commitment to helping restore the region.
In addition, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have agreed to expedite humanitarian aid, including the provision of basic facilities to Gaza.
Responding to a question regarding the presence of volunteers in Gaza, Anwar stressed that Malaysia is ready to send medical teams and participate in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission if needed.
Malaysia has previously also participated in international peacekeeping forces, and the government believes that the involvement of peacekeeping forces is one of the best guarantees to ensure that peace in Gaza is maintained.
