KUALA LUMPUR: Today marks a year to the day when Israel ramped up its attacks on Palestine, which have left thousands dead and many more displaced.
Since Oct 7, 2023, more than 41,615 Palestinians have been killed, 96,359 injured, and over a million people forced to flee their homes to escape Israel's atrocities.
Since then, Gaza's infrastructure has been reduced to ruins. Its healthcare system has collapsed and aid supplies dwindled to critically low levels while survivors struggle to find hope from the horrors of war.
The violence has spread across the region, with clashes escalating between Israel and Hizbollah in southern Lebanon, exacerbating the crisis.
Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali speaks to the New Straits Times on the need for the global community to do more, and what's next for the people of Palestine.
CALL FOR GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
Walid says while there is growing global recognition of Palestinian rights and statehood, the international community's inaction on Israel's policies in the occupied territories exposes a troubling double standard in accountability.
The support for Palestine, he says, has failed to translate into actions that hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
"Why has the international community failed to impose sanctions on Israel akin to those enacted against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine?"
Walid says Israeli's claim of the need to counter Hamas has lost credibility when examining the true toll of casualties in Gaza.
"When Israeli rockets strike Khan Younis, Rafah, Nablus, or Jenin, they do not distinguish between Palestinians or between Hamas and Fatah. All Palestinians are targeted."
He says the indiscriminate violence has resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
Walid urges world leaders to take a stand and "be fair to the Palestinians by taking serious measures to protect them against settlers under the protection of the Israeli army".
"Assist Palestinians in ending the massacres, enable us to secure rights, hold elections, establish our own government, and live with dignity."
Walid highlights three priorities for Gaza: an immediate, unconditional ceasefire to halt the violence; humanitarian assistance to ensure access to sufficient food, clean water and medical supplies for survival; and the provision of shelter for those displaced.
He says the primary challenge in sustaining humanitarian aid is the failure of Israeli forces to facilitate the required quantity of assistance.
"Instead, they are only permitting the minimum amount necessary for survival."
NETANYAHU A BARRIER TO PEACE
Walid says Israeli extremism and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are barriers to achieving lasting peace.
He says the Israeli government's reluctance to recognise Palestinian rights and its failure to engage in meaningful negotiations exemplifies this challenge.
The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), he says, has sought to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel, allowing Palestinians and Israelis to coexist.
He says the initiative began in Madrid and continued with the Oslo Accords.
However, the Netanyahu administration has posed substantial obstacles to these efforts.
This, he says, is the same government that oversaw the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin during a critical period when peace was within reach under the leadership of former Palestinian National Authority leader, Yasser Arafat.
"Today, President Mahmoud Abbas remains committed to achieving peace, but unfortunately, there is no Israeli counterpart.
"There is no one in Israel who is interested in serious negotiations, and the community is moving increasingly towards extremism, towards the right. They are not interested in peace."
Walid says Israel's perception of military superiority — reinforced by substantial support from the United States and several European nations — has fostered a belief that it is a superpower in the Middle East.
"They believe that if they maintain their status as a superpower in the region, they can act as they wish."
Despite the difficulties presented by the Israeli government, Walid says, war isn't a solution.
"We, as Palestinians, believe that peace is the way forward, and war will never fulfil the aspirations of the Israelis.
"No matter what actions are taken or how many diplomatic relations are normalised with some Arab and Muslim countries, true peace can be achieved only if Palestinian rights are recognised."
TWO-STATE SOLUTION THE ONLY WAY FORWARD
Walid says there is an urgent need for international recognition of Palestinian rights, particularly concerning self-determination and statehood, which he believes is more pressing now than ever.
He describes the past year as a "genocide", and that Israel's crimes committed have claimed human lives with little justice.
"While the world watches, those in Gaza risk having their voices erased.
"The international community, with the majority in the United Nations General Assembly recognising the Palestinian state, has acknowledged our rights to self-determination and independence.
"They (the international community) have accepted the two-state solution as a means to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement in the Middle East.
"However, for this solution to be realised, Israel and the US administration, along with several European countries, must recognise Palestinian rights."
This, he says, includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, in accordance
with UN Resolutions 242 and 338.
"Without Israel's acknowledgment of Palestinian rights to these borders and of Al-Quds as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, the Middle East will continue to suffer."
The Palestinian Authority, he says, maintains that the two-state solution is not only viable but essential for achieving stability in the region.
"It is the only solution. There is no other solution. This is a reality that Israel and its allies must acknowledge.
"The international community has a crucial role to play in helping Palestinians achieve this objective."
THANK YOU, MALAYSIA
Adapting to a new environment, including dietary differences and cultural nuances, presents significant challenges for the 127 Palestinian civilians seeking medical treatment in Malay-sia since Aug 16.
Walid says the embassy is collaborating with the authorities to bridge the gaps by providing support and resources following the commotion caused by two Palestinians in Wisma Transit.
"It's not easy for some of them to adjust. However, I have made it a point to explain to them the opportunity they have to be in Malaysia."
He says Malaysia's humanitarian efforts reflect a commitment to supporting the Palestinian people during their time of need, underscoring the nation's long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
He says it also represents a broader moral obligation that Malaysia has embraced, and expressed gratitude for the compassion shown by Malaysians.
"I am pleased with the care being provided at the hospital. It's a slow mechanism, but the staff are doing their best."
Walid says once the injured Palestinians complete their treatment in Malaysia, they will be sent back to Egypt.