NGOs strongly condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh

KUALA LUMPUR: Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have strongly condemned the assassination of the Hamas leader and political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran.

Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the organisation strongly condemns Israel for this assassination on foreign soil, adding that such actions undermine the principles of international law and escalate tensions in an already volatile region.

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He said the killing of Haniyeh was another strong evidence of how Israel never had any intention for peace but rather to continue their heinous crime of oppressing and killing the Palestinians.

Ahmad Fahmi called upon the international community to take a firm stand against the genocide by Israel and ensure accountability for those responsible.

"In this moment of sorrow, we also call upon all human beings to stand in solidarity against the genocidal occupation of Palestine by Israel. It is only through united, global action that we can bring an end to the suffering and pave the way for peace, justice, and dignity for all,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 31).

Haniyeh, who is also the former Prime Minister of Palestine, was assassinated hours after he attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday (July 30).

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Ops Ihsan Secretariat chairman Jismi Johari, in a separate statement, said Israel's continuous attack proved that the Zionist regime did not desire a ceasefire as demanded by the United Nations Security Council and would not comply with international law and regulations.

"This brazen attack by Israel wipes out any hope towards a peaceful solution based on humanitarian principles, and human rights will continue to be trampled upon.

"We state our unwavering solidarity and togetherness with entire Palestinian people who have lost their leader and all their family members,” he said.

Jismi said Ops Ihsan once again urged the international community to take stern action, take Israel to task over this cruel act, and work towards bringing peace to Palestinians whose rights have been consistently denied for the past 75 years.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid also condemned the murder, describing it as a cowardly act by the Zionist regime that must be met with firm action.

"Now Israel legalises all means, including attacking their enemies on foreign soil. Israel is at war with many countries. It exposes itself to a backlash from groups that cannot accept its atrocities.

"We demand the world’s Muslim leaders not to remain silent. The time has come for Israel to be severely punished for its crimes,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Azmi said that the killing will not diminish the spirit of the Hamas fighters, calling on those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle, to continue their support.- Bernama