Palestinians search for their family members killed and buried in mass graves by IOF as health workers unearth the bodies in mass graves inside the Nasser hospital compound in Khan Younis in Gaza on April 21, 2024. (AFP)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon expressed their joint call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

"We both are very united in calling for an immediate ceasefire, getting the parties around the negotiating table, and finding a two-state solution," Luxon said at a joint press conference.

Ibrahim noted that the chances for a ceasefire currently seem bleak, pointing, in this context, to a lack of commitment from key nations, especially the United States, which could play a significant role in halting the war.

"The only hope is to engage the United States to take a stronger stance," Anwar said.

During his three-day visit to Malaysia, Chris Luxon announced that New Zealand would enhance its defense cooperation with Malaysia. He also revealed that New Zealand is sending one of its P8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to Butterworth in Penang state for a joint exercise.

This comes as the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli war on October 7 has risen to 40,738 and those injured 94,154, as confirmed by the Gaza Health Ministry on Sunday.

In its daily report, the ministry mentioned that Israeli occupation forces committed three massacres in Gaza, killing 47 people and injuring 94 others in 24 hours.

It also noted that many victims remain trapped under the rubble and on the streets, with ambulance and civil defense teams unable to reach them.

Pezeshkian, Malaysia PM call for halt to genocide in Gaza

Last month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized the policies of the US and some Western nations regarding the war on Gaza.

During a phone call, Pezeshkian and Ibrahim discussed their bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

The two leaders condemned the actions and policies of the US and certain Western countries, particularly their media and weapons support for the Zionist regime, which they argue contradicts claims of upholding human rights and working towards a ceasefire in Gaza.

They attributed the continued crimes of "Israel" and the oppression in Gaza to Western support. They emphasized the necessity for unity and coordinated action among Islamic countries to address these violations and suggested convening a meeting of Islamic cooperation leaders would be a significant step in this effort.