Malaysia condemns large-scale Israeli attack on south Gazan city of Rafah

MALAYSIA condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale offensive in Rafah where millions of displaced civilians are seeking refuge.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra) stated that the inhumane assault will worsen the current humanitarian catastrophe, exacerbate tensions in the region, and further derail efforts towards the immediate cessation of hostilities and a permanent ceasefire.

“Malaysia demands Israel immediately desist and abide by its obligations under international law,” said the statement today.

Wisma Putra emphasised that the dastardly military operation clearly vindicates the key goal by the Zionist regime to annihilate the Palestinians from their own land.

It also clearly shows the Zionist regime’s blatant disregard of fundamental principles of international law and a clear contempt for the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on January 26, 2024 on the six provisional measures.

“The international community cannot let this belligerent act by one of its members continue without impunity,” Wisma Putra stated.

According to Wisma Putra, Malaysia echoes the calls by the United Nations secretary-general for an immediate halt to the vile plan and urges the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take swift and decisive action to stop the massacre being perpetrated by the Zionist regime.

“This includes compelling responsible members of the international community to suspend support to the regime,” it added.

Wisma Putra stated that Malaysia’s resolute support and solidarity with the Palestinian people remain unwavering, including towards their right to self-determination, the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and that state accepted as a full member of the UN.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the Israeli attack on Rafah early this morning killed more than 100 civilians, including women and children, with hundreds more injured.

About 1.4 million Palestinians are now in Rafah after the Israeli military forced a mass displacement of residents from the north to the south of Gaza. – Bernama, February 12, 2024