KUALA LUMPUR: The six Malaysian medical officers who are currently In Rafah are expected to leave the troubled region soon.
Mercy Malaysia deputy executive director Hafiz Amirrol said the six were safe and continued to work to help the Palestinian people in Rafah.
"Currently there are six members of Mercy Malaysia, five doctors and one emergency medicine specialist in Rafah. They went there under the coordination and auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Mercy Malaysia is in constant communication with them and so far their safety is guaranteed. According to the plan, they will leave Rafah in the near future.
"What we can share is that during the period that Israel has closed the border so far, they are still serving to help in terms of emergencies and medicine. We also hope that the planning for them to get out of Rafah goes well," he told Berita Harian.
Last Sunday, Israel reportedly closed the important Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Southern Gaza which is the entry point for most humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories.
Last Tuesday, the Israeli army also reportedly seized and closed the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
International media also reported that the UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths,= had voiced concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of the Israeli blockade, which caused civilians to not receive any aid for several days.
Commenting further, Hafiz also denied that the group were 'trapped' following the closure of the border.
He explained that medical teams under the auspices of the WHO are currently in a 'deconflicted zone' which has a lower risk than a war zone.