“It is better that we bring them here to receive medical treatment without any interference. It is also safer for them and for us,” he said after visiting the 127 Palestinians who arrived in two air force aircraft today.

Khaled said the mission was accomplished after two months of negotiations with the Egyptian government to obtain permission to bring out the injured Palestinians as Israel continues its assault on the Gaza Strip.

He said the mercy mission was carried out on humanitarian grounds and in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

A total of 41 patients comprising 20 men and 21 women aged between eight months and 62 years were brought to Malaysia with broken and missing limbs, severe head injuries and eye injuries.

They were taken to the field hospital in the hangar of the air base for a health screening and will receive treatment at the Tuanku Mizan armed forces hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

A total of 86 family members were also brought to Malaysia after going through a special security and health screening. The relatives will be housed in a transit location provided by the defence ministry.

Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali said that Malaysia is the first Asian country to host his injured compatriots.