Palestinians climb in the back of a truck on a coastal path west of Beit Lahia, after managing to get aid parcels on July 29, 2025, after aid trucks entered the Israel-besieged Gaza Strip from the northern Zikim border crossing. - AFP
SINGAPORE: Singapore is prepared in principle to recognise the State of Palestine, with the key consideration being that such a move should help progress towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution.
Singapore envoy Kevin Cheok, in a statement delivered at a UN conference of high-level representatives in New York on Tuesday (July 29), said Singapore is also considering the deployment of a medical team to the region, to help treat patients from Gaza.
In the longer term, Singapore is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza - once a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached, he added.
The three-day United Nations conference on implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, which ends on July 30, was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Cheok, who is MFA deputy secretary (Asia-Pacific), said Singapore also reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Singapore urges Israel to lift restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid to the region, and calls on Hamas to release all remaining hostages immediately and unconditionally, he said.
Cheok said: “What we are witnessing in Gaza today is heartbreaking. The denial of humanitarian aid is causing starvation and a dire lack of essential medical services.
“The reports of people being shot whilst desperately trying to access food are shocking. This is unconscionable and a violation of international humanitarian law.” - The Straits Times/ANN
