Mercy Malaysia today denied rumours of the death of its doctors in Gaza as the organisation has not deployed any Malaysian staff or volunteers to Gaza this year.

Its president Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said all its work in Gaza was now being carried out by its local partners in the Gaza Strip.

"It has come to our attention that there have been rumours circulated via the short-message system of the death of doctors deployed by Mercy Malaysia to Gaza.

"We would like to appeal to the members of the public to stop circulating the SMS, as the claims are untrue," he said in a statement.

He said among its current projects in the Gaza Strip was the running of a psychosocial programme in partnership with the Emaar Society, where MERCY Malaysia had established a centre for care and psychological consultation for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.

"The continuous conflict in Gaza has left heavy psychological effects on the survivors of the crisis, and this is one way for us to support the local community there," he said.

Dr Ahmad Faizal said other forms of assistance included the donation of medical equipment and ambulances, as well as the reconstruction of El-Wafa medical rehabilitation and specialised surgery hospital.

"We express our deepest regret over the reported loss of lives and violence and extend our sympathies to the families of the dead and wounded.

"We also call for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the border crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid and aid workers to and from Gaza," he said.

- Bernama