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Middle East conflict

ASEAN to discuss sending peacekeepers to Palestine, Malaysian defense minister says

Mohamad Hassan emphasized that Malaysia has always been committed to supporting the establishment of universal peace under the UN banner

TOKYO, October 31. /TASS/. Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamad Hassan said that the heads of the ASEAN Defense Ministries will discuss sending peacekeepers to Palestine, Bernama news agency reported.

According to the agency, Malaysia's Defense Minister said he would raise Palestinian-related issues at a meeting of ASEAN defense ministers next week. "We want to hear ASEAN’s voice because we are convinced of the pivotal role of ASEAN. It is imperative that all ASEAN countries agree that we should send troops to Palestine under the UN banner," the agency quoted Mohamad Hassan as saying. "Although at the moment a decision from the UN on this issue (sending peacekeepers - TASS) has not been made yet, we are ready. The Defense Ministry is closely monitoring what is happening in Palestine and cooperating with the Foreign Ministry," he said. "Therefore, if the government orders to send troops to Palestine, we will do it, because any decision on this issue depends not on the Defense Ministry, but on the Foreign Ministry," Hassan noted.

The defense minister emphasized that Malaysia has always been committed to supporting the establishment of universal peace under the UN banner, Bernama noted.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory, killing many Israelis living in the settlements near the border and abducting more than 200 people, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes have also been reported in the West Bank. On October 27, Israeli Army Spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced the expansion of ground operations in Gaza.

Middle East conflict

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