KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has reiterated its firm support towards the three-phase Gaza peace proposal initiated by the United States (US), despite objections made by Israel.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the proposal, mediated by the US with Qatar and Egypt, must also be swiftly implemented to stop the killings of civilians in Gaza.
"The issue now is that the killings must be stopped. We support the three-phase proposal mediated by the US, in fact, almost all countries have supported it (the proposal).
"The discussion on the reconstruction of Gaza (as an independent state) has also been done in Oman (by the United Nations Security Council) where I attended.
"I have also met (Antony) Blinken (who is the US secretary of state) and said that the ball is now in your (US) court, this is your (US) proposal and make sure that it is working," he told the Lower House today during minister's question time.
He said this in response to Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (Perikatan Nasional-Marang) who enquired about the government's intention to review the two-state solution approach to uphold the sovereignty of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Mohamad also said Malaysia had also reiterated its stance that the proposal, which was approved by the UN, must be implemented regardless of Israel's approval.
"Whether or not Israel accepts it (the resolution), it depends on the US as they are allies.
"(And) as allies, they need to ensure that Israel complies with and adheres to the resolutions approved by the UNSC."
Meanwhile, asked by Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Pakatan Harapan-Ledang) on whether Malaysia agreed that resolutions towards the war in Gaza should depend on the views of Palestinians following many rejections of one-sided resolutions, Mohamad said in the positive but stressed that the killings must be stopped.
"What we must do now is ensure that the killings are stopped immediately because tens of thousands of people are being killed every day.
"Therefore, the resolution accepted by the UN must be enforced and the US must follow through and take full responsibility for it.
"We fully support the proposal, the implementation of a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the right of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
"After that, it is up to them if they want to hold elections and we will recognise whichever party will govern an independent Palestine thereafter."
Last month, Malaysia urged for full and swift implementation of the UNSC's Resolution 2735 in order to alleviate the suffering and stop the killing of Palestinians.
This comes after the UNSC adopted a resolution that supports a Gaza cease-fire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden in late May.
The resolution, penned by the US, received 14 votes in favour at the 15-member Security Council, with Russia abstaining.
The adopted resolution highlights the diplomatic efforts led by the US, Egypt and Qatar and welcomed Biden's three-phase proposal.
The proposal, among others, outlines the withdrawal of Israel's military from populated areas of Gaza during a six-week ceasefire, and for Hamas and Israel to negotiate terms for a permanent end to hostilities.
The third phase of the proposal includes a permanent ceasefire, which will allow for the reconstruction of the enclave, and an ultimate final end to a devastating war in which Israel has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians.
The resolution also states that Israel has accepted Biden's proposal and calls on Hamas to do the same and implement it.