Malaysia To Repatriate 127 Palestinians During Gaza Ceasefire Says Zahid

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A total of 127 Palestinians arrived at the Subang air base on Aug 16, 2024. Of this number, 40 were injured and needed medical treatment.
PETALING JAYA: Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government will repatriate the 127 Palestinians, who were brought to Malaysia last August, during the planned 42-day ceasefire in Gaza.
“I personally raised this matter at last week’s Cabinet meeting. We do not want any actions or demonstrations like what happened at Wisma Transit in Kuala Lumpur,” said Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister.
“The ceasefire is the right time for this repatriation to be carried out promptly by the defence and foreign ministries.
“We will check with the Egyptian government on arranging for the Palestinians to return to the Middle East within these 42 days,” he said in a Sinar Harian report.
Reuters reported that the first stage of the ceasefire will last for 42 days, during which 33 of the remaining 98 Israeli hostages – women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded – will be released in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
However, the ceasefire, which was set to start this morning, was delayed after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Hamas to provide a list of the hostages who were to be released during the day – which Hamas said it could not do for “technical” reasons.
On Aug 16, 2024, a total of 127 Palestinians arrived in Malaysia from Egypt aboard two RMAF aircraft. Of that number, 40 were injured and needed medical treatment, while the others were said to be their family members and relatives.
The injured were transferred to the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur while their relatives were accommodated at Wisma Transit.
On Jan 5, the armed forces confirmed a commotion involving Palestinians at Wisma Transit a day earlier, which they said stemmed from the Palestinians’ request to expedite their repatriation.
Video recordings that went viral on social media showed a group of Palestinians at Wisma Transit causing minor damage, including burning bedsheets.
A similar commotion occurred at the same location in October last year involving Palestinians reportedly dissatisfied with being restricted from going outside the premises because of security concerns.
Zahid today said the government accepted the apology from Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali, regarding the incidents.
“We welcome the apology from the Palestinian ambassador. We also understand the Palestinians may have been under pressure due to having been in Malaysia for an extended period,” Zahid said.
“All of them are now in good health and have requested to return home (Palestine).” - FMT

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