KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Muslim community is becoming enraged over the ongoing violence between Gaza and Israel. A number of young Muslims told Bikyamasr.com that they plan to demonstrate in support of Palestinians, who they described as being “victims of a war that they didn't ask for.” For them, their concern lies with the children and residents of Gaza who are being killed and wounded in near constant air strikes by the Israeli military. “Rocket attacks on Israel are unacceptable, but at the same time, the killing of Palestinians by Israel in the name of defense is horrible and wrong,” said Samir Rahimi, a university student. “We are all praying that Israel will stop the violence before hundreds or more are killed in a ground invasion,” he told Bikyamasr.com as he and a group of friends were watching 24-hour news coverage of the ongoing conflict. For them, it hits home, as they have all said they believe being Muslim is part of their connection with Palestine. “We have all met Palestinians and heard of the horrors of occupation and what life is like in Gaza so we believe what is happening is just wrong. Killing is wrong and we as Muslims must stand up for what is right,” added Najib Azam, another student. For them, they urge the international media to report on both sides equally. “Too often, we have seen Israel get most of the defending by the international media and this gives the impression that they are the victim, but the reality is until this morning in Palestine, no Israeli had been killed, while many Palestinians were,” he added. Early Wednesday evening, Israeli forces launched “Operation Pillar of Defense", striking over 20 sites across the Gaza Strip and assassinating Ahmad Jabari, Hamas military chief known mostly for his role as the brain behind the 2005 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The leaflets come after several Israeli officials spoke openly about the possibility of launching a ground invasion in the narrow coastal enclave. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu told a weekly cabinet meeting of ministers that Israel was prepared to defend itself by escalating the conflict. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told army radio that “there is no escaping...a military decision on Hamas in Gaza." The Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) has vowed to avenge Jabari's death, stating that Israel “opened the gates of hell" with the assassination. The PRC spokesperson urged “cowardly settlers" to flee to shelters or be buried in their homes. PM Netanyahu stated that 20 percent of the total Israeli population lives under the threat of rocket fire from Gaza. Israeli officials claim the latest round of fighting began when Hamas launched an anti-tank missile on an Israeli military jeep. Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, both of whom took credit for the jeep attack, claimed Israel started the conflict when it killed a Palestinian child during an incursion in Gaza last Thursday. “Operation Pillar of Defense" is the largest offensive on Gaza since the 2008 Gaza War. Three Israeli civilians died on Thursday morning in a rocket strike on a home in southern Israel. At least 11 Palestinians died in Israeli airstrikes since Wednesday afternoon. As of present there are no reports that a ground invasion is underway, though several outlets are reporting heavy Israeli airstrikes on densely populated areas in Gaza. ** Patrick O. Strickland contributed to this report from Ramallah.
