PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called on all parties to de-escalate the growing tension and restore calm in Gaza.
He urged Israel to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, and stressed that a ceasefire must be fully respected.
“The never-ending use of excessive violence and terror waged by Israel towards Palestinians reflects a situation that is extremely worrying,” said Dr Mahathir in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today.
“I strongly condemn the excessive use of force in retaliation by Israel towards the Palestinians, using hundreds of missiles from Israeli warplanes and the placement of military assets at the border,” he said.
“Israel’s systematic acts of violent aggression, incitement, provocation and collective punishment against defenseless Palestinians is a flagrant violation of international law.”
Such irresponsible acts, Dr Mahathir added, had escalated in the past and cost too many innocent lives.
“By its silence, the international community is yet again tacitly approving the disproportionate use of force by Israel which would aggravate the humanitarian catastrophe that has already been inflicted upon innocent Palestinians,” he said.