PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has welcomed the joint statement issued on May 19 by the foreign ministers of 23 donor countries to Palestine, calling for the immediate and full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza and condemning Israel's continued obstruction of life-saving assistance.
In a statement on Thursday (May 22), Wisma Putra said the collective stance marked a critical step in breaking the prolonged silence on what it described as "the worst humanitarian catastrophe in modern history."
"Malaysia opposes any act to inflict mass starvation and the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war.
"The international community must act with unity to compel Israel to comply with international law and ensure unfettered access to essential food, water and medical supplies," read the statement.
Malaysia reaffirmed its steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated its call for countries that have yet to recognise the state of Palestine to do so without delay.
"Recognition is not merely symbolic. It is a necessary step to end decades of occupation and to restore the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, dignity and peace," it added.
Wisma Putra warned that without political will, there can be no resolution – only continued cycles of violence and suffering.
The joint statement by donor countries was released as the United Nations on Monday (May 19), reported that only nine aid trucks were authorised to enter Gaza – a move it described as a "drop in the ocean" amid the worsening humanitarian crisis, international media reported.
The 23 signatories included Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and New Zealand.
They acknowledged limited signs of aid resumption but noted that Israel had blocked humanitarian access to Gaza for more than two months.
"Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted," the UN statement said, adding that "the population faces starvation" and "Gaza's people must receive the aid they desperately need." – Bernama
