Singapore continues to explore opportunities for humanitarian aid to Gaza: MFA
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(From left) Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Singapore's Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hawazi Daipi with honorary director Shireen Shelleh of the Singapore Representative Office in Ramallah at her office in the Palestinian territory in March.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – Singapore will continue to explore opportunities for humanitarian aid to Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, even as it assists relief operations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said in a statement on June 12 that Singapore’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority, Mr Hawazi Daipi, had attended a conference in Jordan on the humanitarian response for the Palestinian territory on June 11, as the Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The conference, co-hosted by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, sought to address the critical humanitarian needs
In a statement submitted to the conference, Mr Hawazi said: “Singapore reiterates its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for all parties to allow for the urgent, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to affected civilians in Gaza.
“We also continue to call for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all hostages. We hope for an end to the humanitarian suffering that has gone on for too long.”
The crisis started on Oct 7 when Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel and killed about 1,160 people, mostly civilians. They took around 250 hostages back to Gaza. More than 100 were released during a truce in November, in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Israeli tallies estimate that there are 116 hostages left, though 40 are believed to have died.
Israel’s attack in Gaza has killed more than 37,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Much of the enclave has been destroyed, with malnutrition and the risk of disease
Mr Hawazi also repeated Singapore’s support for a negotiated two-state solution
Despite international endorsement, no agreement on the solution has been reached between Israel and Palestine since then, with the ongoing war marking the latest conflict.
Mr Hawazi said: “This is the only viable path for achieving a comprehensive, just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Outlined in his statement were Singapore’s contributions to the humanitarian efforts in Gaza, which include three tranches of aid to affected civilians there.
In March, Singapore deployed a C-130 aircraft
Singaporeans have also donated generously to fund-raising drives by non-governmental organisations, with over $15.5 million raised so far.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr Hawazi indicated that Singapore’s non-governmental organisations, such as the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief, are working on plans to deliver much needed food and medical supplies, and assist ongoing relief operations.
The country will also continue to work with partners to ensure that aid reaches those in need swiftly and effectively, the ministry said.
Mr Hawazi met the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Minister of Health Maged Abu Ramadan, Minister of Social Development Samah Abuoun Hamad and Minister of State of Relief Affairs Basel Nasser on the sidelines of the conference. They reaffirmed the friendly relations between Singapore and the PA.
He renewed Singapore’s commitment to supporting the PA’s capacity-building efforts in fields such as healthcare, education and public administration. To date, over 750 PA officials have benefited from training programmes and post-graduate scholarships provided by Singapore. Also present at the meeting were the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan, as well as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
