SINGAPORE — Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan met the leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) during his visit to Ramallah on Monday (March 18), amid the war between Israel and Hamas militants.

Dr Balakrishnan called on Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his likely successor Mohammad Mustafa. He also met with his counterpart Riad Al Malki and the Palestinian head of general intelligence services Majed Faraj.

"Minister Balakrishnan expressed Singapore’s deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza," Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

"An immediate humanitarian ceasefire will allow for the effective delivery of aid to affected civilians in Gaza."

Dr Balakrishnan updated the Palestinian leaders on Singapore’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including its third tranche of aid and a donation of S$6.1 million collected by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East.

He also emphasised Singapore’s support for a negotiated two-state solution, calling it "the only viable pathway towards a comprehensive, just and durable peace".

Singapore also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PA's capacity-building efforts in civil service and digital government.

"Over 700 PA officials have benefitted from training programmes and post-graduate scholarships provided by Singapore," said MFA.

"The opening of the Singapore Representative Office in Ramallah in October 2022 has expanded the reach and strengthened the delivery of Singapore’s technical assistance to PA."

Dr Balakrishnan was accompanied by a delegation including five Members of Parliament — Mr Alex Yam, Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Ms Rachel Ong, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim and Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam. 

The war in Gaza has dragged on for more than five months, triggered by Hamas' unprecedented Oct 7 attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies. More than 250 hostages were seized.

Israel's retaliatory ground and air campaign has killed more than 31,500 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Israel said it has killed at least 13,000 Hamas members in the Gaza fighting. The Integrated Food-Security Phase Classification said on Monday that extreme food shortages in parts of the Gaza Strip have already exceeded famine levels.

"Mass death is now imminent without an immediate ceasefire and surge of food to areas cut off by fighting," said the global hunger monitor.

Israel, which initially allowed aid into Gaza through only two checkpoints on the enclave's southern edge, said it is opening more routes by land, as well as allowing sea shipments and airdrops. The first boat carrying aid arrived last week.

Aid agencies say they still cannot get enough supplies through or distribute them safely, especially in the north. CNA