KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is set to receive 15 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement, a Palestinian official announced last Monday.
Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, confirmed that Malaysia, along with Turkiye, Qatar, and Pakistan, would each host 15 Palestinian detainees. These individuals are among 70 Palestinian prisoners currently housed in a hotel in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and awaiting deportation, according to a report by Xinhua.
Zaghari stated that discussions are ongoing with other countries to secure accommodation for additional released prisoners.
“There are also negotiations with Cairo to host some of those who may be freed in upcoming phases,” he added.
Putrajaya has yet to release an official statement on the reception of the detainees, but the country has historically maintained strong diplomatic ties with Palestine and has consistently called for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has constantly emphasised his support for Palestine, bringing it to the international stage when he delivered a public lecture at the University of California, Berkeley as part of his visit to San Fransisco, US for the 30th Apec Economic Leaders Meeting in November 2023.
Anwar said Malaysia unequivocally condemned the bombing of civilians, homes and hospitals and the consequential atrocities against innocent lives, of children, women, and men being carried out day and night in Gaza with impunity.
In August 2024, Malaysia extended medical assistance to 41 injured Palestinians and their 86 immediate family members, bringing the total to 127 individuals. These refugees are temporarily hosted in Malaysia for medical treatment. Palestine’s ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali, clarified that these individuals would return home upon completing their treatment, emphasising that Malaysia was not intended to be a permanent refuge for them.
Citizens have shown their solidarity through several rallies and gatherings, held in various locations by various parties with prominent leaders like former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar attending the events.
The prisoner release is part of a broader ceasefire agreement mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The deal, announced on January 15, facilitated an exchange in which Hamas has released 18 hostages in return for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
According to the Times of Israel, Israel stipulated that Palestinians convicted of the most serious offences would not be permitted to return to Gaza or the West Bank. As a result, Egypt agreed to temporarily host them before their relocation to third-party countries, including Malaysia. – February 9, 2025