CORRECTION PUTERA 1MALAYSIA CLUB MEETS SENIOR HAMAS LEADER

Syed Azwan Syed Ali

(RESENDING ITEM, CORRECTING ISMAIL HANIYEH'S DESIGNATION,
UPDATING THROUGHOUT)

GAZA CITY, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The humanitarian mission to Gaza, sponsored
by Putera 1Malaysia Club in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Cross Society
was given the honour to meet senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday.

The 22-member team, led by Putera 1Malaysia Club President, Abdul Azeez
Abdul Rahim, arrived at the government building at 12.10pm local time after
visiting the Al-Quds hospital, here.

In the one-hour meeting, Ismail welcomed the team which is here to deliver
Ramadan humanitarian aid from Malaysians such as foodstuff, clothing, blankets
and medicines, to more than 2,000 families in several settlements in the
besieged region.

"You are all welcome here in Gaza, the land of the Palestinians," Ismail,
the highest-ranked Hamas leader who is well-known throughout the world, told the
Malaysian group through an interpreter.

Also present were the Political Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Norhaidi
Che Dan and MRCS Vice-Chairman Dr Bahari Abu Mansor, who is also the adviser to
the humanitarian group.

Ismail said he was aware of the presence of the group from Malaysia
comprising 67 volunteers including 35 doctors of various races, and praised the
spirit of 1Malaysia unity shown in the team.

Ismail also appreciated the continuous contribution from the people of
Malaysia through non-governmental bodies, and assistance from the Malaysian
government ever since the era of Dr Mahathir Mohamad until the present Prime
Minister Najib Razak.

In his reply, Abdul Azeez, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member,
expressed appreciation to Ismail for inviting them to meet him after the team
entered Gaza via the Rafah border on Monday.

"In Malaysia, the Palestinians are not very far from our heart," he told
Ismail, adding that the purpose of the group's visit was also to send 35 doctors
of various races to help the Palestinian people.

They would be placed at several hospitals and clinics in the Gaza Strip,he
said.
-- BERNAMA