KUALA LUMPUR: "Thank you Malaysians for the help and support given to the Palestinian people", said Banan Salmi Ahmad Abu Ratimah, 28, when met at Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital (HAT) here.
The woman from Rafah, Gaza, was one of 41 Palestinians accompanied by 86 relatives who were brought to Malaysia on Aug 16 to receive follow-up treatment for injuries sustained as a result of the Zionist regime's attack on the Gaza Strip.
Banan Salmi, who is a lawyer in Gaza, suffered severe injuries to her left leg and had to be amputated up to the knee. She also suffered injuries to her hands as a result of a rocket attack on Oct 7 last year.
"In that incident, my mother and I were sleeping at my uncle's house. At dawn, our home was suddenly bombed by the Zionist regime and my mother and uncle were martyred. I miss Gaza very much because my father and brother are still there.
"Thank you, Malaysia for the help given. The treatment we received here was very good and fast. I hope to be able to get a prosthetic leg so that I can walk as usual," said Banan Salmi, who is currently receiving follow-up treatment at the hospital, accompanied by her eldest sister and youngest brother.
On Aug 16, the Palestinians arrived at Subang Air Force Base by boarding two Royal Malaysian Air Force A-400M aircraft.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that the Palestinians who are being treated in Malaysia will only be sent back to their country when the situation improves or at least a ceasefire is agreed upon by all parties.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Sufyan Hassan, 29, who suffered jaw and lung injuries as a result of an explosion at a school in Gaza that killed 70 people including his grandfather, expressed concern for the safety of his family members in Gaza.
Mohamed Sufyan who is a lorry driver said since arriving in Malaysia, he was not able to contact his wife and four sons due to poor Internet access in Gaza.
"I can't describe this feeling, I miss them so much but I can only surrender to God. I hope to be able to bring them here to receive treatment," said Mohamed Sufyan who is accompanied by his mother here.
Rania Abdel Fattah, 34, who is being treated for severe injuries to her face, including a broken arm and right leg after being hit by bomb fragments, said she was very grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the people of Malaysia for providing hospitality and treatment to Palestinians.
Recounting the dark incident when her home was shelled on the 13th day of Ramadan, she said the tragedy took the lives of three family members, destroyed their home and injured her husband including her three-year-old son.
"I hope the Prime Minister can help bring my husband and son who are still in Gaza to receive treatment in Malaysia. My son in Gaza suffered a severe injury to his face but did not have the opportunity to undergo treatment here," she said while shedding tears.
Zain Suhail Saad, 10, said the opportunity to set foot in this country is something that he had dreamt of, even though he was only here for treatment.
"I know Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and know about Malaysia through the internet. When we got here, it was the same as what I saw on the phone. I hope this war will end so that my father can come here and take care of me because I miss him," said Zain Suhail who is undergoing dialysis treatment at the hospital.
His mother, Nisrin Saad, 38, said she was initially worried about her son's safety when he was chosen to receive treatment in Malaysia, but her feelings changed when she saw the health facilities provided at HAT Tuanku Mizan.
The meeting with the Palestinians was assisted by Arabic translator Husna Mardiah Mohamed Radzi, Maj. Lukman Hakim Abdul Wahab of the armed forces and Malaysian Army Special Warfare Training Centre religious officer, Captain Ahmad Masykur Salahuddin.