PETALING JAYA: Malaysia strongly urges all parties in the Middle East to refrain from escalating the already tense situation in the region due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohaamad Hasan said in a statement on Sunday (April 14) that while Iran claimed to act in self-defence in launching drones at Israel earlier in the day, the international community should not lose sight of ensuring the freedom of Palestine.

Wisma Putra further urged the international community not to give in to the deflection by Israel from "their nefarious inhumane and unconscionable acts in Palestine".

It also echoed the call by the United Nations Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities which may spiral out of control and result in the loss of more innocent lives.

"The attacks by Iran today are a response to the illegal bombing by Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1.

"Iran posits that its actions are an act of self-defence and provided for in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"Once the attacks had ended, Iran through its Permanent Mission at the UN announced it considers its actions against Israel justifiable and 'can be deemed concluded'.

"However, Iran asserts that should the Israeli regime or its allies 'make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe', thus creating a never-ending cycle of violence.

"Any further form of provocation and/or retaliation could ignite a devastating region-wide conflict that will not serve the region nor the Palestinian cause.

"The international community is also reminded not to lose sight of the objective of ensuring the freedom of the Palestinians and their rights to their own lands.

"Any distraction from this objective is what Israel wants, which is to deflect the global community's attention from their nefarious inhumane and unconscionable acts in Palestine.

"Malaysia further echoes the call by the UN Secretary-General for an immediate cessation and end of these hostilities. Any form of attack, offensive or defensive, will have consequences that if it spirals out of control, will ultimately lead to the deaths of many more innocents.

"The government of Malaysia urges the parties concerned to de-escalate and create the necessary environment to end this conflict immediately.

"Malaysia reiterates that the main objective is to find peace and a permanent solution to the plight of the Palestinian people and not widen the conflict," said Mohamad.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/14/de-escalate-mid-east-situation-keep-palestinian-objective-in-mind-says-wisma-putra