Gaza tops talks between Malaysia and Turkey during Erdogan's visit to KL

The reconstruction of war-torn Gaza was a central topic of discussion between leaders during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's two-day visit to Malaysia, his first official visit under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's tenure.

- Lu Wei Hoong

The reconstruction of war-torn Gaza was a central topic of discussion between leaders during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's two-day visit to Malaysia, his first official visit under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's tenure.

Both leaders of the Muslim-majority countries expressed their individual commitments to the rebuilding of Gaza and the support they would provide to the Palestinians.

During a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting in Putrajaya on Feb 11, Datuk Seri Anwar said that Kuala Lumpur, along with Ankara, would continue providing humanitarian assistance for Gaza's reconstruction.

"As I mentioned to President Erdogan just now, we will support the Japanese initiative to set up a fund for Gaza's reconstruction. They (Tokyo) have asked us to co-chair the East Asia Reconstruction Plan for Gaza and Palestine," he said.

Details of the fund, which was first announced in January, are yet to be finalized, The Straits Times has learnt.

Meanwhile, Mr Erdogan highlighted that Turkey has sent over 100 ships to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.

"We will continue to send humanitarian aid to those in need. Gaza and Palestine are two issues where Malaysia's stance deserves appreciation," Mr Erdogan said.

On Oct 7, 2023, Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel.