Malaysia is poised to return 127 Palestinians evacuated for medical care back to Gaza on their request after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect, bringing an end to a period of high anxiety for the patients, which saw protests at their Kuala Lumpur shelter.
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The ceasefire began on Sunday as Hamas released three Israeli hostages, and in response, Israel freed Palestinian prisoners.
While the truce is extremely fragile, it is hoped it will end 15 months of relentless bombings in Gaza, which have claimed nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives according to Hamas, with independent estimates suggesting the number is even higher.
As one of the most vocal countries advocating for the Palestinians, Malaysia undertook a humanitarian mission in August to transport 41 injured Gazans along with their families for medical care in Kuala Lumpur.
Aged between 8 months and 62 years old, they were transported on August 16 on two Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft from Cairo, Egypt.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the cabinet had discussed a plan to send them back last week, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating their safe return with the Ministry of Defence.
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