Malaysia signals cooperation with Indonesia on UN peacekeepers in Gaza

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his government's readiness to cooperate with Indonesia in sending peacekeeping forces to the Gaza Strip if it is authorised by the United Nations (UN) mandate, reported ANTARA.

Anwar made this statement during a phone call with Indonesia's President-elect and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto on Monday, according to a post on X.

During the three-minute phone conservation, Anwar said he and Prabowo also exchanged views on current issues, including Prabowo's role in representing Indonesia on the international stage lately and his efforts to promote regional and global vision, collaboration, and peace.

"I also welcomed the idea of cooperation in the Malaysia-Indonesia international peacekeeping mission, and the possibility of expanding this collaboration to the ASEAN regional level," the Malaysian Prime Minister remarked.

Anwar also expressed his gratitude for "the high-risk surgery" that Prabowo recently underwent on his left leg and prayed for his speedy recovery to carry out his entrusted responsibilities.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the need for UN peacekeepers in Gaza, the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) are preparing 1,394 personnel for duties, such as ensuring security, reconstructing public facilities, and providing medical services.

According to TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, one of the TNI units that will be deployed to the Palestinian enclave for the UN mission will be the engineering battalion, as its personnel could help rebuild destroyed homes and public facilities, such as schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.

He also highlighted the TNI's readiness to deliver further humanitarian supplies to Gaza, including sending a hospital ship, on grounds that a ceasefire has been in place and the Indonesian military receives a UN mandate to do so.

A fresh armed conflict erupted between Palestine and Israel following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel early in the morning of October 7, 2023.

Since the war began, the Israeli armed forces have killed at least 37,834 Palestinian civilians and injured some 86,858 others as of June 29, according to Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera reported that many of those killed in Gaza are women and children. The Israeli aggression has also triggered a humanitarian catastrophe.

-- BERNAMA