KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic) has accused the Israeli regime of seeking to undermine Middle East peace efforts, urging the international community to intensify diplomatic pressure as military operations expand in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
Mohamad said Israel’s actions have shown it has little interest in regional stability despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and reduce tensions.
Malaysia would continue raising the issue through international platforms including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS and the United Nations, he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Mohamad said he had recently spoken to the incoming president of the United Nations General Assembly from Bangladesh, who will assume the role in September, and expressed hope that more than 140 countries would support future resolutions aimed at increasing pressure on Israel.
“If we can secure the support, it will constitute significant pressure on Israel to stop its incursions into Lebanon, end the atrocities in Gaza and halt encroachment in the occupied Palestinian territories,” he said.
Mohamad condemned Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon, saying at least 10 people were killed there on Monday alone and that such incidents had become a near-daily occurrence since the conflict expanded beyond Gaza.
“There are no words to explain what’s happening,” he said in describing the suffering of civilians, particularly women and children.
The minister has also defended the management of the Palestinian Humanitarian Trust Fund, saying the government-run fund is subject to multiple layers of scrutiny and oversight to ensure aid reaches Palestinians in need.
Responding to questions over claims circulating on social media, Mohamad said the fund was established under the Foreign Ministry and was not comparable to privately managed charitable accounts.
The minister said the fund is chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, with senior officials including deputy secretaries-general and finance division representatives involved in its administration.
He added that the fund is audited by the Auditor-General, while requests to disburse assistance are carefully scrutinised before approval.
“Any application for assistance from this fund is managed properly,” he said, adding that the fund’s management and disbursements are regularly reported to the Cabinet.
Rejecting allegations that funds were being distributed indiscriminately to NGOs, Mohamad said assistance was channelled through established international agencies and trusted humanitarian partners operating in Palestine and neighbouring countries.
