Republic continues to call for Gaza ceasefire, release of all hostages: Vivian

The Republic continues to urge all parties to reach a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate unconditional release of all hostages in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Nov 1.

- Anjali Raguraman

Dr Balakrishnan also expressed Singapore's "deep concern" over the Israeli Parliament's recent legislation that will ban UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem. The law was passed on Oct 28.

The minister said the concern is over how it "will hamper or hinder the essential work of UN agencies in providing relief to the people in Gaza and beyond".

"Singapore commends the work of Unicef, UNRWA and the other UN agencies for the essential role they provided and continue to provide for life-saving support in Gaza," he said, ahead of a ceremony that saw local charity Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) handing over $700,000 to UN children's agency Unicef.

"We urge all parties to adhere to international law - including that we respect and protect the individual officers of these agencies, some of whom have been casualties."

In his speech, Dr Balakrishnan also reiterated Singapore's stance, conveyed to the Israeli government at the highest level, that its military response has gone too far.