PM Anwar Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Agreement


London: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which is set to take effect on Sunday. Speaking to the Malaysian media here, Anwar, who is on a working visit to the United Kingdom, said this critical step will provide the much-needed relief for the people of Gaza, who have endured such immense suffering.



According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar acknowledged the efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in mediating this agreement and applauded US President-elect Donald Trump for his role in bringing the negotiations to fruition. He made these remarks after delivering a keynote address at the Invest Malaysia event.



Anwar emphasized that the international community must ensure that the ceasefire deal will be upheld, paving the way for talks on subsequent phases that will lead to sustainable calm and the reconstruction of Gaza. He noted that while reconstruction is a pressing priority, it is essential to recognize the loss of over 46,700 Palestinian lives and the displacement of over two million people as a consequence of the conflict.



Justice and accountability for the actions taken during this conflict remain critical, Anwar stated. Furthermore, he stressed that the ceasefire must serve as a stepping stone towards the long-overdue aim of establishing a viable, sovereign, and independent Palestinian state. A just and lasting peace depends on addressing the root causes of this conflict, he added.



Regarding the statement by Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya, who praised Malaysia’s ‘honourable stance’ in supporting Palestine during the ongoing conflict, Anwar highlighted the importance of bringing peace to Gaza. He remarked, ‘The most important is to stop the continuous attacks that cause destruction and the killing of people, as well as the destruction of property in Gaza. I hope this ceasefire can continue, and we will do whatever is necessary.’



Anwar expressed confidence that a continuous ceasefire can be achieved, noting the direct engagement with representatives from the US and Malaysia’s strong relations with Egypt and Hamas.