PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad supports the government’s efforts in bringing injured Palestinians to Malaysia for treatment.

He said that Palestinians were Muslim brothers who deserve to be helped in their time of need.

"They (the Palestinians) are Muslims, we Muslims are brothers. So when they face problems, we need to help them as best we can,” he said when met at the ‘Bicara Merdeka - Masa Depan Islam dan Melayu’ programme organised by Yayasan Permata Ummah here on Saturday (Aug 24).

On whether the government needed to bring more Palestinians over for treatment, Dr Mahathir said the government could help according to its capabilities.

"We can’t afford that much. We can bring those who are badly (hurt) here who we can treat,” he said.

A total of 41 injured Palestinians, accompanied by 86 of their next-of-kin, were flown in on two A-400M Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft and landed at the Subang Air Base at about 2pm on Aug 16.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan recently said that the Palestinians, who are currently being treated in Malaysia, will only be repatriated to their country after conditions improved or at least after a ceasefire has been achieved by all parties. - Bernama