Mahathir met the Hamas delegates in the administrative capital of Putrajaya and discussed with them important issues related to the Palestinian cause.   

In a news conference held following the meeting, Mashal expressed his sincere thanks to the Malaysian premier and his country for their ongoing support for the Palestinian rights, describing Mahathir as one of the most prominent leaders of the Muslim nation.

The Hamas official also expressed hope to see a major Malaysian role in lifting the zionist terrorists blockade on Gaza, pointing out that the Gaza population is exposed to daily attacks and ongoing blockade.

He warned that zionist gangs' practices in Occupied Jerusalem are aimed at changing the identity of the holy city, and called on the Islamic world to necessarily focus on ending the zionist occupation and support the Palestinian people’s struggle for their rights.

For his part, premier Mahathir said that Malaysia would not stop condemning zionist's aggressive practices against the Palestinian people, reiterating his country's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their national cause.

He affirmed that "the Malaysian people are aware of the suffering and difficulties the Palestinian people are facing" and "will not be silent as long as the zionist occupation persists in its violations."

The premier strongly denounced the world's major power "for their hypocrisy when dealing with the Palestinian cause, for their continuing support for zionists and for ignoring the crimes it commits against humanity."

Mahathir Muhammed delivered a speech during the ninth annual Ramadan iftar which was held on Wednesday by the Palestinian Cultural Organization in Malaysia in the presence of a high-level delegation from the Hamas Movement led by former political chief Khaled Mashal.

The Malaysian premier reiterated his country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just national cause and its rejection of zionist terrorists' policies in the occupied territories.

He hailed his country for participating in many anti-zionist activities around the world and many rallies and convoys that were aimed at breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip.

The premier affirmed that "Israel’s aggression against Palestine is the main cause of terrorism in the Middle East," accusing zionist terrorists of "practicing state terrorism."

He also highlighted the importance of the Palestinian question and its humanitarian dimension, stressing the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in this regard and pressure zionists to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories. (ILKHA)