KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the crisis in Gaza could turn into genocide if Israel’s war against Hamas in the territory continues.
Anwar said Tuesday that civilian safety must be given top priority. He said he expressed Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people during a phone conversation Monday with Hamas political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.
“Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah,” he wrote on social media. He urged Israel to “genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution” to end the conflict.
Anwar told Parliament on Monday that Malaysia rebuffed calls by Western countries to condemn Hamas for its Oct. 7 incursion into Israel that set off their latest war. Malaysia blames years of injustice and Israeli oppression on the Palestinian people for the Hamas incursion.
“If no action is taken, it will turn into a genocide war,” he said. “If the world is unable to do anything, it means that the world is allowing the mass killing of Palestinians.”
Malaysia, a moderate, mostly Muslim nation, has long been a critic of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. It does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Anwar plans to attend a meeting of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week and has said he would discuss the issue with his counterparts.
Malaysia has allocated USD2.1 million to the UN relief agency helping Palestinian refugees and hopes to raise up to USD22 million for Palestinian humanitarian aid.
