KUALA LUMPUR - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed dismay after learning about the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes to the Dr Siti Hasmah and Enaya Physiotherapy Centre in Gaza on November 7.
In a post today on X, he said five Gazan families, who sought refuge at the centre after their homes were bombed, tragically lost four members from each of their families in the Israeli attack.
"I mourn the bombings and destruction of hospitals and other protective centres in Gaza previously. I have a personal connection to this hospital.
"The Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF), of which I am a member, has been directly involved in its construction since the beginning.
"PGPF, along with Humanitarian Care Malaysia, Muslim Care Malaysia, Media Prima Humanitarian Fund, and the Charity Association for Palestinian Aid, assisted in its construction, and it has been operational since 2019," he said today.
Dr. Mahathir expressed concern over the location of the centre in Khan Younis, situated in the southern part of Gaza, which was bombed despite earlier assurances from Israel that they wouldn't target the southern region.
Addressing the current developments in Gaza, Dr Mahathir stated that Zionist Israeli attacks have escalated into mass civilian killing operations rather than focusing on Palestinian fighters.
"This is not a war between armies but rather mass killings by the Israeli army aimed at displacing Gaza's Palestinian population. The deliberate targeting of facilities such as hospitals, residences, and now the physiotherapy centre illustrates Israel's intent," he added.
Dr Mahathir emphasised that, at this moment, opposition and prayers for the Palestinian people to be spared from Israel's atrocities are crucial.
"Israel's allies, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, persist in condoning and supporting Israel's actions," he added. - Awani