“The police are monitoring the situation and have mobilised the Special Branch to ensure that Malaysian citizens are not involved, in order to mitigate any risk to their safety,” Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said in a statement.

He also urged Malaysians to use safe and secure channels to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Razarudin said those wishing to provide any form of assistance are advised to verify the credibility of representatives handling donations and take steps to avoid falling victim to scammers.

“The police, through the commercial crime investigation department (CCID), will increase surveillance and take strict action against any parties found attempting to take advantage (of the situation),” he added, referring to the wave of sympathy Malaysians have expressed for the people of Gaza.

Hamas fighters breached the border fence enclosing the Gaza Strip enclave at the weekend, rampaging through towns and villages and killing 1,200 people while taking scores of hostages, the Israeli military had said.

Israeli jets have pounded Gazan targets for days in retribution, and the death toll there has risen to 1,200, Palestinian media reported, citing Gaza’s health ministry.