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Rais said this in the Emergency Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference at the headquarters of the OIC general secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia today.

His statement was released by the Foreign Ministry in Putrajaya today.

Given such a scenario, Rais urged the OIC, together with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab League to work towards pressing for the convening of an Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the situation in Palestine.

He said Malaysia also called for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to de-escalate the conflict.

Rais said the OIC should also take immediate measures by calling for a Special Session of the Human Rights Council to address the infringements of human rights and humanitarian law by Israel.

He also requested the OIC secretary-general to undertake consultations with other international and regional organisations aimed at calling for a ceasefire and addressing the deteriorating humanitarian condition in Gaza.

The Palestinian unity was paramount as the continuing split between Hamas and Fatah would only benefit Israel at the expense of Palestinians who had suffered the most, he added.

At the end of the meeting, a Final Communique, condemning Israel’s action on Gaza, was issued.

The meeting also requested for the international community, particularly the UNSC and the Quartet, to immediately end Israel's aggression on Gaza, secure a ceasefire, provide protection for Palestinians and compel Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza.

“The meeting agreed for the OIC to exert efforts in calling for an Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution 377A(V), ‘Uniting for Peace’.

“The meeting also decided to call on the Human Rights Council to convene an Emergency Session on Israel’s human rights violations and establish an international fact finding mission to investigate Israel's injustices,” said Rais.

In a related development, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided to activate the Humanitarian Fund for the Palestinian people to enable the Malaysian public to contribute donations towards lifting the sufferings of the Palestinians.

In a show of support and solidarity, the government has decided to contribute US$1 million (RM3.5 million) to the people of Gaza, to be channelled through MERCY Malaysia.