Malysia condemns Israel’s deadly attack on UN food distribution centre in Rafah

Dateline Report
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia strongly condemns the deadly attack by Israel on a United Nations food distribution centre in the eastern part of Rafah, in southern Gaza, on 13 March 2024. At least one staff member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was killed, and another 22 were injured in the attack.
UNRWA is the lifeline for millions of Palestinians and the deliberate targeting of the very few remaining of its distribution centres in Gaza is illegal, utterly unconscionable and shameful. Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 165 UNRWA team members had been killed, including those in the line of duty, more than 150 UNRWA facilities destroyed, including schools, while more than 400 people killed while seeking shelter under the United Nations’ protection.
Deliberate attacks against United Nations facilities, convoys and personnel are a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. Malaysia reiterates its call for an immediate permanent ceasefire to stop the killing of innocent lives and ensure unimpeded, safe, sufficient and continuous access to humanitarian aid including fuel, food, and medicine throughout Gaza.
The blatant and unspeakable violence perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians and the indiscriminate attacks against UN personnel and journalists must stop now. The international community’s failure to act means more senseless loss of lives and prolongs the suffering of the Palestinians. There is a need for all nations to fulfil their humanitarian, ethical, and legal responsibilities to the Palestinian people as they observe the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Malaysia remains steadfast in our principled position that Palestinians unequivocally deserve the realisation of their own independent and sovereign state, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its Capital.