Malaysian premier speaks to Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, backs Palestinians

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday spoke to Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, and expressed Malaysia's “unwavering support for the Palestinian people.”

The phone call came as the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine enters its second week.

“Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah,” said the Malaysian prime minister, who also announced humanitarian relief for Palestinians.

“It is also imperative for Israel to abandon their adherence to the politics of dispossession, immediately cease fire with Hamas and genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing conflict,” said Anwar on X.

It is crucial to prioritize the well-being and safety of all individuals affected by this crisis, he added.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday also had a phone conversation with Haniyeh.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met Haniyeh in the Qatari capital Doha.

Eleven days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israel's bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over one million people displaced – almost half of Gaza's total population, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

At least 2,838 Palestinians, including 750 children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, while the death toll from such Israeli attacks in the West Bank has reached 60.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the armed conflict.