Thank you Malaysians for the help, support rendered - Palestinians

KUALA LUMPUR: "Thank you Malaysians for the help and support given to the Palestinian people", said Banan Salmi Ahmad Abu Ratimah, 28, when met at Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital (HAT) here.

The woman from Rafah, Gaza, was one of 41 Palestinians accompanied by 86 relatives who were brought to Malaysia on August 16 to receive follow-up treatment for injuries sustained as a result of the Zionist regime's attack on the Gaza Strip.

Banan Salmi, who is a lawyer in Gaza, suffered severe injuries to her left leg and had to be amputated up to the knee level apart from injuries to her hands as a result of the Zionist regime's destructive rocket attack on her father's residence on Oct 7 last year.

"In that incident, my mother and I were sleeping at my uncle's house. At dawn, our home was suddenly bombed by the Zionist regime and my mother and uncle were martyred.. I miss Gaza very much because my father and brother are still there.

"Thank you Malaysia for the help given. The treatment we received here was very good and fast. I hope to be able to get a prosthetic leg so that I can walk as usual," said Banan Salmi, who is currently receiving follow-up treatment at HAT Tuanku Mizan accompanied by her eldest sister and youngest brother.

On August 16, 41 Palestinians who were injured as a result of Israel's attack on Gaza, accompanied by 86 relatives, arrived at Subang Air Force Base by boarding two A-400M aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, for treatment.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was reported to have said that the Palestinians who are being treated in Malaysia will only be sent back to their country when the situation improves or at least a ceasefire is agreed upon by all parties.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Sufyan Hassan, 29, who suffered jaw and lung injuries as a result of an explosion at a school in Gaza by the Zionist regime that killed 70 people including his grandfather, expressed concern for the safety of his family members in Gaza.

Mohamed Sufyan who is a lorry driver in Gaza said since arriving in Malaysia, he still could not contact his wife and four sons namely Malik who is six years old, Mazin (five years old), Sufyan (three years old) and Abd Rahman (nine months old) due to poor Internet access in Gaza.

"I can't describe this feeling, if I could meet those who were there, I miss them so much but I can only surrender to God. I hope to be able to bring them here to receive treatment," said Mohamed Sufyan who is accompanied by his mother here.

Rania Abdel Fattah, 34, who was treated for severe injuries to her face, including a broken arm and right leg after being hit by bomb fragments, said she was very grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the people of Malaysia for providing hospitality and very good treatment to Palestinians.

Recounting the dark incident when her home was shelled by Zionist regime on the 13th of Ramadan, she said the tragedy had cost the lives of three family members, destroyed their home and injured her husband including her three-year-old son.

"I hope Anwar can help bring my husband and son who are still in Gaza to receive treatment in Malaysia. My son in Gaza suffered a severe injury to his face but did not have the opportunity to undergo treatment here," she said while shedding tears because she missed her husband and son.

For Zain Suhail Saad, 10, who is also among the 41 Palestinians who were brought to Malaysia for treatment, the opportunity to set foot in this country is something that he dreams of even though his presence is only for treatment.

"I know Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and know about Malaysia through the internet. When we got here, it was the same as what I saw on the phone. I hope this war will end so that my father can come here and take care of me because I miss him," said Zain Suhail who is undergoing dialysis treatment at HAT Tuanku Mizan.

Zain Suhail's mother, Nisrin Saad, 38, said she was initially worried about her son's safety when he was chosen to receive treatment in Malaysia, but her feelings changed to gratitude when she saw the health facilities provided at HAT Tuanku Mizan.

The meeting session with Palestinians was assisted by Arabic translator Husna Mardiah Mohamed Radzi, Maj. Lukman Hakim Abdul Wahab of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Malaysian Army Special Warfare Training Centre religious officer, Captain Ahmad Masykur Salahuddin.

-- BERNAMA

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