TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Malaysian government is trying to bring home six members of its medical team who have been in Rafah, Gaza, since May 1, 2024.

The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press statement issued in Putrajaya, on Monday, May 20, 2024, said that it was aware and deeply concerned about the safety of the stranded Malaysian medical team from the Mercy Malaysia's Emergency Medical Team. They are part of the World Health Organization (WHO) medical delegation to Rafah.

The statement wrote that Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan had recent discussions with Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater about joint humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The Malaysian government is also working with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to ensure that the six-person medical team can be evacuated safely from the conflict zone.

The rescue operation, according to the statement, must be carried out efficiently and smoothly through diplomatic channels, considering the tense and rapidly changing situation.

As a result of the escalating situation in Rafah, Gaza, and its surroundings which has worsened due to Israeli ground attacks, the Malaysian Government has urged its citizens, especially those registered with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), not to travel to conflict zones.

The advisory reiterated the directive issued at inter-agency and NGO meetings on October 16, 2023, and January 23, 2024, at the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Wisma Putra.

The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe return of Malaysians. Necessary steps have been taken, including continuing to work with international partners to bring the medical teams home safely, the statement concluded.

ANTARA

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