Anwar expressed his condolences to Ismail Haniyeh on the loss of his three sons and four grandchildren in Israeli bombings. The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, stating that the three sons were operatives in Hamas’ armed wing. Hamas reported that the four grandchildren, three girls and a boy, were also killed in the airstrike. When asked about the grandchildren’s deaths, the Israeli military had no information. This meeting between Anwar and Haniyeh marked the first face-to-face encounter since Anwar became prime minister of Malaysia.
Prior to this meeting, Anwar had met with Haniyeh twice before, with the most recent meeting occurring in 2020 when the Hamas leader visited Malaysia. Anwar also held discussions with the top leaders of the Qatari government to address the ongoing conflict. Both Malaysia and Qatar agreed that all parties involved should collaborate to find a resolution to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The death toll in Gaza from the war now exceeds 35,000, as reported by health officials in the region, who do not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties.
The loss of Haniyeh’s sons and grandchildren in the Israeli airstrike highlights the personal impact of the ongoing conflict on Palestinian families. Anwar’s expressions of sympathy and support for Haniyeh demonstrate Malaysia’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for peace and justice. By engaging in discussions with Hamas leaders and the Qatari government, Anwar aims to contribute to efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. The high death toll in Gaza underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the hostilities.
The Israeli military’s confirmation of carrying out the attack on Haniyeh’s family members underscores the devastating consequences of the conflict and the toll it takes on innocent lives. The lack of information on the grandchildren’s deaths from the Israeli military raises questions about the transparency of the military’s operations in the region. Anwar’s meeting with Haniyeh and other regional leaders indicates Malaysia’s commitment to supporting efforts to end the violence and find a just resolution to the conflict. By engaging in diplomatic discussions and expressing condolences, Anwar seeks to contribute to peacebuilding efforts in the region.
The longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to result in tragic loss of life and suffering for civilians on both sides. Anwar’s efforts to engage with regional leaders and express solidarity with the Palestinian people reflect Malaysia’s commitment to promoting peace and justice in the region. The high death toll in Gaza underscores the urgent need for all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. By acknowledging the personal toll of the violence on families like Haniyeh’s, Anwar highlights the human cost of the ongoing hostilities and the importance of international cooperation to address the root causes of the conflict.
