Govt Mulls Second Wave Of Gaza Humanitarian Mission Via Rafah Border - PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The government is prepared to consider a proposal for a second wave of humanitarian missions to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government, in principle, has pledged its support for any humanitarian effort to assist the people of Gaza.

“We have already attempted (to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza) by sea, and now there is a proposal (to go through the Rafah border), which deserves consideration.

“Once the tabling of Budget 2026 is completed this week, on Monday and Tuesday, we will call Sani (Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby) and Nuri (Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman), along with other colleagues, to discuss strategies for the Rafah mission,” he said.

Anwar was speaking at the 'Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza: Gelombang Malaysia, Palestin Merdeka' event at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, here to demonstrate Malaysia’s support for the people of Palestine.

Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and other Cabinet members, as well as 23 members of the Malaysian delegation from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission.

The Prime Minister said that after discussions with Dr Sani and Muhammad Nadir, he would then contact Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for further planning.

“Hopefully, the Rafah crossing will provide a smoother passage for aid into Gaza, and most importantly, this mission carries the message that we stand firmly with the struggle of the people of Gaza and Palestine.

“The world cannot remain silent. This is not an age of barbarism; this is an age of civilisation. Gaza must be free, and its people must have food, medicine, education, mosques – everything they rightfully deserve,” he said.

Earlier, on the same stage, Dr Sani, who is also Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general, in his speech appealed to the Prime Minister to serve as ‘chef de mission’ in leading the second wave of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

In his speech, Anwar also spoke on Malaysia’s position in supporting the proposed 20-point peace plan to end the Gaza conflict put forward by United States President Donald Trump.

“Do we support it because we are satisfied with the plan? No. Do we believe it will unfold as outlined? No. But together with the Arab and Muslim worlds, and with other progressive nations, we want this oppression, this cruelty, this colonisation and this killing by the Zionist regime to end.

“We want Gaza to be free and for humanitarian aid to be delivered without delay, but this must not be turned into a political polemic. As though we are selling our dignity or bowing to President Trump,” he said.

Anwar stressed that diplomatic negotiations are crucial in the effort to achieve Palestinian independence.

He underlined that the invitation extended to Trump to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit this month is intended to provide a platform for dialogue towards finding a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Anwar said this diplomatic approach is guided by the principles of wisdom and political maturity to ensure that the voice of the Palestinian people continues to be effectively championed at the international level.

“...what is wrong with engaging in dialogue? I am not surrendering, I want to negotiate.

“People ask, what is the point of inviting America, since they support Israel. We want to find a solution. That solution requires wisdom. It is not about surrendering; it is about applying the wisdom that is called diplomacy,” he said.

-- BERNAMA