(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Two A400M transport aircraft belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will airlift 40 Palestinian civilians injured in the conflict in Gaza from Egypt to Malaysia today.
According to a report by the national news agency, Bernama, the two RMAF strategic transport aircraft are expected to take off from Al Maza Air Base, Egypt carrying 40 Palestinian patients to Malaysia to receive further treatment.
The two transport aircraft developed by Airbus are expected to arrive at Subang Air Base at about 9 this morning along with the Palestinian patient.
The injured Palestinian is receiving treatment in several hospitals in Egypt, suffering from various health problems, including bone injuries and burns.
Egypt’s ambassador to Malaysia Ragai Nasr told Bernama that the two planes and the Palestinian patients were scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Friday morning.
“They will receive treatment in hospitals designated by Malaysia,” he said.
Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that two RMAF A-400M aircraft had been sent to Egypt to bring injured Palestinians to Malaysia for medical treatment.
The RMAF has four A400M strategic transport aircraft, which began service in 2015.
RMAF is the first A400M transporter export customer and the first A400M customer in the Asia Pacific region.
As Fleet Leader, RMAF A400M aircraft are often referred to among users of A400M transport aircraft.
According to the Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia, said the selection of 40 injured Palestinians to seek treatment in Malaysia was made on the orders of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after receiving a request from the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is a coordinated effort involving various parties working together to fulfill Prime Minister Anwar’s request,” he said while assuring his commitment to continue their efforts in cooperation with Malaysia.
On August 4, Anwar announced that Kuala Lumpur would help treat injured Palestinians by bringing them to Malaysia.
According to media reports, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and more than 92,000 wounded.
According to Nasr, Egypt currently accommodates more than 70,000 Palestinians in 40 hospitals.
He assured that Egypt will continue to support any future request from Malaysia.
“We will continue this assistance, whatever Malaysia requests in the future,” he said. — DSA