Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed his condolences over the passing of eight humanitarian workers from the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (MAPIM), who were killed in a brutal airstrike in Gaza. Saddened by the tragic incident, he described their loss as a significant blow not only to MAPIM but also to all those fighting for justice and humanity.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid referred to the workers as humanitarian heroes who tirelessly dedicated themselves to helping oppressed individuals. He condemned the attack and urged the international community not to remain silent in response to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. In a Facebook post, Ahmad Zahid called on Muslims and Malaysians to offer prayers, stand in solidarity, and support the Palestinian cause in any way possible, expressing hope that the souls of the deceased would be blessed and placed among the righteous.

Yesterday, MAPIM chief executive officer Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby confirmed that the eight Palestinian workers were martyred in an attack at 1.30pm (local time) in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, last Saturday. The airstrike occurred while they were setting up tents to shelter families displaced by continuous assaults from the Zionist regime. The victims have been identified as Mahmoud Yahya Al-Sarraj, Bilal Hossam Oqeila, Mahmoud Samir Oselim, Mahmoud Khaled Oselim, Mohammed Al-Ghafeer, Hazem Ghareeb, Bilal Abu Matar, and Ahmad Hamad.