SINGAPORE – Singapore welcomes US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict, a plan that Israel has also agreed to, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
In a statement on Sept 30, an MFA spokesperson said: “We call on Hamas to accept the proposal in order to end the war in Gaza.
“Singapore supports an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all remaining hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.”
Singapore also welcomes Mr Trump’s initiative to establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful coexistence.
“We believe that a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, is the only viable pathway to achieve a comprehensive, just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the spokesperson added.
Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sept 29
agreed on a 20-point plan
to end the two-year war in Gaza.
Leaders from the Middle East and Muslim majority nations
expressed support for the plan
.
However, the proposal – which mandates that Hamas have no role in the future of Gaza – must be accepted by the militant group, which would need to agree to substantial concessions.
It stipulates that the two-year conflict would end immediately if the plan is accepted by both Israel and Hamas, and that all hostages and the remains of those who died would be returned within 72 hours.
The agreement would also see Israel releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners, and stipulates that Israel would not occupy or annex Gaza.
Mr Trump warned that “if Hamas rejects the deal”, then Mr Netanyahu would “have our full backing” to destroy the militant group.
“We’re not quite finished. We have to get Hamas, but I think they’re going to be able to do this. So now it’s time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we’ve put forward today,” Mr Trump said.
Earlier in September, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to
return to direct talks on a two-state solution
that offers the “only viable pathway” towards peace.
He reiterated Singapore’s firm position that only a negotiated two-state solution, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, offers a “comprehensive, just and durable resolution” to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
During a call with PA’s Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Dr Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s longstanding support for the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood.
He also highlighted Singapore’s commitment to contribute to international relief efforts for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Republic has sent nine tranches of aid
worth over
$22 million
and multiple humanitarian airdrops, the most recent one involving a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 aircraft deployed to Jordan.
Dr Balakrishnan also spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Sa’ar, during which he conveyed Singapore’s serious concerns about Israel’s expanding military operations in Gaza.
While he acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence following
the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack
, Dr Balakrishnan stressed that “excessive military action” has deepened civilian suffering in Gaza.
He also urged Israel to facilitate the “immediate, swift and unimpeded” delivery of humanitarian aid, and “strongly urged” the country against unilateral measures that would jeopardise the prospects of the two-state solution.
Israel-PalestineMinistry of Foreign AffairsGazaIsraelPalestine
