Malta is ready to welcome and provide shelter to Doctor Alaa Najjar and her family, Prime Minister Robert Abela said during a Labour Party political activity on Sunday.

Nine of the doctor's 10 children were among those killed in Israel's renewed military offensive, colleagues and the Health Ministry said. Alaa Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, was on duty at the time and ran home to find her family's house on fire, Ahmad al-Farra, head of the hospital's pediatric department, told The Associated Press. Najjar's husband was severely wounded and their only surviving child, an 11-year-old son, was in critical condition after Friday's strike in the southern city of Khan Younis, Farra said.

Israel's military in a statement said it struck suspects operating from a structure next to its forces, and described the area of Khan Younis as a "dangerous war zone." It said it had evacuated civilians from the area, and "the claim regarding harm to uninvolved civilians is under review."

Speaking on Sunday, Abela said that a human tragedy is occurring in the Middle East, "and we cannot close our eyes to it."

"Around 55,000 people lost their lives for no reason," he said.

"Malta as part of the international community, is and will remain firm and vociferous not to allow these human tragedies continue intensifying."

Abela said that humanitarian aid is being stopped from reaching its destination, he said, being blocked.

"In a second while she was at work, she lost nine of her children," Abela said.

"Tell me, can Malta turn its face to this tragedy and pretend like nothing is happening. You tell me, shouldn't Malta offer refuge to what remains of this family, shouldn't Malta give them asylum, psychological support?"

"Imagine having a family and being told they were all burned. Shouldn't Malta be compassionate with them? Doctor Alaa Najjar, Malta is ready to welcome you, to provide shelter for you and your family and to treat you as one of its own."

Abela said that what is happening is unacceptable. "Killing babies, children and starving families is not acceptable, these are the ugliest forms of atrocities."

Abela said that the time will also come when Malta will recognise Palestine as a State. He said the time "isn't far off." Abela indicated that it would take place at a conference in June, and said that it will be a government led by him that will recognize Palestine as a state.

"If a substantial part of the international community remains silent when faced with all this, history will never forgive us," he said.

"A week ago we were in Albania, only 7 out of 45 countries signed a firm declaration for humanitarian aid to pass through Gaza. I am proud to have been one of those seven leaders who had the courage to sign this declaration," Abela said.

He spoke of some who would be the first to speak about the need to invest billions of euro on arms, "but then on the need to work so that the most essential items - medicine, bread, water- to be sent to children and those affected, there is absolute silence, or a quarter-hearted appeal."

Malta has and will remain consistent in favour of support for the Palestinian people, he said.

He also said that the government had condemned the 7 October attack on Israel.

"Malta must always remain in favour of peace, dialogue and diplomacy," he said.

Malta is respected internationally, Abela added, mentioned that the country held the UN Security Council Presidency, led the OSCE and last week started its presidency of the Council of Europe.

Malta's priorities in this presidency, he said, are the protection of children, the fight against violence and the fight against discrimination.

"Can we remain silent seeing Palestinian children being killed?"

He spoke about a meeting he had with children and their families who were brought to Malta for care, and the disabilities they face as a result of war, and the family members they have lost.

During his speech, Abela also addressed the MCAST collective agreement situation.

He said that on Monday the collective agreement for MCAST staff, amounting to €45 million over five years, will be signed.

This comes long discussions, and last year the situation had even led to industrial directives having been implemented by the Malta Union of Teachers.

Abela also referred to the situation regarding PL MEP Daniel Attard, referring to it as an "attack."

Attard has been named in an investigation conducted by Belgian police over a meeting which took place between the MEP and a Huawei lobbyist during a football match. The request to lift Labour MEP Daniel Attard's parliamentary immunity, alongside four other MEPs reportedly involved in a situation set to be investigated by Belgian prosecutors, had also been announced in the EU Parliament.

Abela pointed to Attard, who was in the crowd at the political event, and told the MEP that he has "our full support. I will, we will strongly defend you and we will not be left to swim alone."

When addressing the political Abela also spoke of the prosperity that the Labour Government is creating, from which families, pensioners, and Maltese and Gozitan youth are benefiting, he said. Among other things, he mentioned the exemption from stamp duty on property purchases. He also mentioned the recent tax cut, and increases in pensions.

Abela also announced a reform at the Industrial Tribunal to strengthen workers' rights and provide peace of mind to employers. He said that the current law can create uncertainties for both workers and employers, and even injustices. Here, he mentioned that there are no clear guidelines on the amount of compensation that the tribunal is to award to workers. He said that the law needs to be clearer, while the tribunal must speed up its processes and be equipped with the best resources and necessary competencies.

Regarding the discussion on voluntary assisted euthanasia, Abela said he is listening to people's suggestions and the arguments related to palliative care. He said that the Labour Government has made strong investments in palliative care, including at Samoc and with Hospice Malta, to ensure this service continues to strengthen year after year for patients with terminal illnesses, maintaining their dignity.