As the fragile Gaza ceasefire enters its second phase under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, Singapore finds itself navigating a complex web of humanitarian commitments, diplomatic positioning, and strategic interests. The announcement by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on January 14, 2026, that the truce will now focus on demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction comes at a critical juncture for the city-state’s foreign policy and regional relationships.
Humanitarian Leadership: Beyond Financial Contributions
Singapore’s response to the Gaza crisis has been comprehensive and sustained since October 2023. The government and Singaporean citizens have collectively contributed more than S$22 million in humanitarian assistance across nine tranches, demonstrating a level of per-capita generosity that belies the nation’s small size.
The humanitarian effort operates through multiple channels. The Singapore Red Cross has committed close to S$1.3 million in relief aid through the Egyptian Red Crescent, including the deployment of operations coordinators and an eight-person team to assist with ground operations. Most recently, the organization launched a new fundraising appeal following the ceasefire, having previously committed S$300,000 when the first phase took effect in October 2025.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has played an active operational role, deploying C-130 transport aircraft to Jordan for airdrop operations alongside other foreign air forces. These missions represent tangible proof of Singapore’s willingness to commit military assets to humanitarian causes, strengthening ties with key Middle Eastern partners like Jordan and Egypt.
The Muslim community in Singapore has been particularly responsive. The Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation launched the “Aid for Gaza 2026” campaign in January, partnering with UNICEF and the Egyptian Red Crescent to focus on early recovery and rehabilitation. Running through Ramadan until March 31, 2026, the campaign targets restoration of basic services and essential infrastructure, with donations eligible for 100% tax deduction under the Overseas Humanitarian Assistance Tax Deduction Scheme. Collection boxes have been placed in all mosques across Singapore, making participation accessible to the broader community.
Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has emphasized Singapore’s unique approach: “Our approach is always to do more, say less, and be quietly helpful and constructive; to work from the ground up.” This philosophy has enabled Singapore to maintain productive relationships across the ideological divide in the Middle East.
Capacity Building: Investing in Palestinian Governance
Beyond immediate humanitarian relief, Singapore has committed S$10 million to the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package for the Palestinian Authority, positioning itself as a long-term partner in Palestinian state-building. This strategic investment addresses a critical gap that will become increasingly important as phase two of the ceasefire focuses on technocratic governance.
More than 800 Palestinian officials have participated in Singapore’s training programs since 2013, receiving instruction in public administration, digitalization, public health, and finance. The program has now expanded to include both postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships for Palestinian students to study STEM subjects at Singaporean universities.
Two new initiatives announced in July 2025 demonstrate Singapore’s evolving commitment. First, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Singapore will train Palestinian Civil Police officers in community policing—a critical capability for any future Palestinian state. Second, a new Young Leaders Programme will share Singapore’s experience in governance and public administration with emerging Palestinian leaders.
Minister Balakrishnan has been explicit about Singapore’s unique value proposition: “Singapore stands as a beacon of hope, and of what is possible in the future… a successful multi-racial, multi-religious society, which has learned to hang together, to confront challenges collectively.” This model resonates powerfully with Palestinian officials struggling to build institutions capable of governing diverse populations.
Complementing government efforts, a grassroots Palestinian Scholarship Initiative launched in October 2024 has raised over S$510,000 from Singaporean citizens. The initiative received more than 150 applications from young Palestinians, with more than half from Gaza, and has awarded scholarships to four students pursuing studies in pharmaceutical science, artificial intelligence, business management, and software engineering at local universities.
Diplomatic Positioning: Balancing Principles and Pragmatism
Singapore’s diplomatic stance on Gaza reflects its broader foreign policy philosophy of principled pragmatism. The government has consistently called for a negotiated two-state solution as “the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This position allows Singapore to maintain productive relationships with both sides while advocating for what it sees as the only realistic long-term solution. When President Trump announced his “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” in September 2025, Singapore welcomed the initiative while calling on Hamas to accept the proposal and comply with ceasefire terms.
However, Singapore’s statements throughout the crisis have not shied from criticism where warranted. In July 2025, Singapore issued strongly worded statements condemning “the excessive Israeli military reaction” and calling the denial of humanitarian aid “unconscionable.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that reports of people being shot while trying to access food were “shocking” and constituted violations of international humanitarian law.
This balanced approach serves Singapore’s interests in maintaining credibility with diverse partners. As Minister Balakrishnan noted, Arab partners have been “very intrigued” by the composition of Singapore’s diverse diplomatic delegations and “how that diverse crew can work so closely together, and constructively.”
Singapore has notably refrained from joining calls for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, with Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam cautioning that premature recognition could “harm Palestinians” by undermining the negotiation process. This restraint demonstrates Singapore’s preference for substantive progress over symbolic gestures.
Economic and Energy Security Considerations
The Gaza conflict’s second phase carries important implications for Singapore’s economic and energy interests in the Middle East, though these concerns are rarely articulated publicly.
Singapore is the fifth-largest refinery and export hub globally and among the top 10 exporters of petrochemicals. The city-state has minimal domestic energy resources and depends heavily on gas imports—with LNG projected to account for half of Singapore’s gas imports by 2025, up from under 30% previously. Qatar, a key ceasefire mediator, is a major LNG supplier to Singapore through long-term contracts.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are Singapore’s largest Gulf trading partners, accounting for 2.1% and 1.2% respectively of total trade turnover. These relationships extend beyond hydrocarbons into areas like financial services, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Global Foundries, owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, announced a $4 billion investment to expand capacity at its Singapore plant, representing the company’s first new-build foundry in several years.
Minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Tan See Leng acknowledged at the Singapore International Energy Week 2025 that “geopolitical tensions” create uncertainties for Singapore’s energy transition. The government is balancing sustainability goals with security concerns, exploring nuclear energy partnerships with US institutions and developing frameworks for cross-border renewable energy certificates.
While direct trade exposure to Gaza and Israel is minimal, broader regional instability could impact energy markets, commercial aviation, and global supply chains—all critical to Singapore’s trade-dependent economy. The government has noted that “greater regional tensions would also impact international energy markets” and expressed gratitude that “strong ties with various partners in the Middle East have prevailed.”
Social Cohesion: Managing Domestic Sensitivities
The Gaza crisis has tested Singapore’s carefully managed social fabric. With approximately 15% of Singapore’s population identifying as Muslim, there is significant community concern about Palestinian suffering. The government has sought to channel this concern into productive humanitarian action while preventing it from fracturing Singapore’s multi-religious society.
Minister Balakrishnan has emphasized that Singapore’s response transcends religious lines: “In all my interactions with the Palestinian Authority over the years and with our Arab partners in the Middle East, they have always been very intrigued when they look at the composition of our delegation, and how that diverse crew can work so closely together.”
The government has facilitated substantial fundraising efforts by Muslim organizations while ensuring these remain focused on humanitarian assistance rather than becoming vehicles for political activism. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim has thanked “the Muslim community and all Singaporeans for your generosity, compassion, and prayers,” framing the response as a collective effort.
Parliamentary exchanges on Gaza have been notably measured, with MPs from across the political spectrum supporting humanitarian assistance while respecting the government’s cautious diplomatic approach. This consensus reflects Singapore’s understanding that divisive domestic debates over Middle Eastern conflicts would undermine both social cohesion and diplomatic effectiveness.
Strategic Implications of Phase Two
The second phase of the ceasefire presents both opportunities and challenges for Singapore’s approach.
The formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee headed by Ali Shaath, announced jointly by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey on January 14, aligns with Singapore’s capacity-building focus. Singapore’s expertise in public administration and institution-building could prove valuable as this committee attempts to restore governance and public services in Gaza.
However, significant obstacles remain. Hamas controls approximately half of Gaza and has refused to fully disarm despite US and Israeli threats. The terrorist group has also not returned the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, whose return Israel has designated as a top priority before phase two can fully proceed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that “Hamas is required to meet the terms of the agreement to exert 100 per cent effort for the return of the fallen hostages.”
The ceasefire has already seen numerous violations from both sides, with nearly 450 Palestinians killed since it began in October 2025 according to Palestinian health authorities. This fragility suggests phase two could collapse, potentially wasting the humanitarian and diplomatic investments Singapore and others have made.
Singapore’s role in Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” remains unclear. Invitations were distributed on January 14, but Minister Balakrishnan has downplayed expectations: “We are not campaigning to be on the Board of Peace… Our approach is always to do more, say less, and be quietly helpful and constructive.”
Reconstruction Challenges and Singapore’s Potential Role
The scale of Gaza’s reconstruction needs is staggering. The UN estimates costs exceeding $50 billion, with 92% of housing units destroyed and nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced. At least 94% of hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, leaving only 19 partially operational facilities providing basic emergency care.
When asked whether Singapore would consider building schools or hospitals in Gaza, Minister Balakrishnan emphasized pragmatism: “There are many needs in Gaza, and we will focus especially on our partnership with the Palestinian Authority, in particular on capacity building. That means especially on education, on scholarships… We can’t rebuild Gaza, but we can stand as a positive example.”
This realistic assessment reflects Singapore’s understanding of its limitations as a small, distant nation. Rather than competing with larger powers on physical reconstruction, Singapore leverages its comparative advantage in governance, education, and technical expertise.
The technocratic approach to governance in phase two could create opportunities for Singapore to contribute meaningfully. If the Palestinian committee successfully establishes administrative frameworks, Singapore’s experience in efficient public service delivery, anti-corruption measures, and economic development could prove valuable.
Regional Diplomacy: Strengthening Middle Eastern Ties
Singapore’s active engagement on Gaza has strengthened relationships with key Middle Eastern partners. Minister Balakrishnan personally congratulated Qatar’s Prime Minister for “his assiduous and painstaking efforts” in achieving the ceasefire, while Minister Maliki has traveled to Jordan multiple times to deliver humanitarian assistance directly to the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation.
These deepening relationships serve broader strategic interests. Singapore is exploring hydrogen imports from Gulf states like Oman, whose enormous 25-GW green hydrogen project has been identified as among the best fits for Singapore’s energy needs by 2050. Cross-border power integration projects, like the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore initiative that began in 2022, demonstrate the importance of regional energy cooperation.
Foreign Minister Balakrishnan has noted that working together on Gaza humanitarian assistance has “given us opportunities to deepen these diplomatic relations, and that is why we have been able to convey timely humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Gaza.” This virtuous cycle enhances Singapore’s position as a trusted partner across ideological divides in the Middle East.
Looking Ahead: Phase Two and Beyond
As phase two of the ceasefire unfolds, Singapore faces several key questions:
Governance Role: Will Singapore be invited to play a substantive role in capacity-building for Gaza’s technocratic administration, or will larger powers dominate this space?
Reconstruction Financing: How will the international community mobilize the estimated $50+ billion needed for reconstruction, and what role might Singapore play in financial mechanisms or project management?
Ceasefire Durability: If phase two collapses due to Hamas’s refusal to disarm or continued violence, how will Singapore adjust its humanitarian and diplomatic commitments?
Palestinian Authority Reform: Will the Palestinian Authority successfully implement promised reforms and expand governance capacity to Gaza, validating Singapore’s investment in its institutional development?
Two-State Solution Viability: Does the current trajectory genuinely lead toward the negotiated two-state solution Singapore advocates, or are both sides positioning for renewed conflict?
Singapore’s response to these questions will be guided by its core principle: quiet, constructive engagement focused on tangible results rather than symbolic gestures. The country’s unique position as a successful multi-religious society with strong relationships across the Middle East gives it a distinctive voice, even as its small size limits its material influence.
For Singapore, the Gaza crisis ultimately represents both a humanitarian imperative and a strategic opportunity—to demonstrate its values, deepen regional relationships, and contribute its expertise to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. As Minister Balakrishnan has emphasized, success requires “political will, courage and imagination” from both Israelis and Palestinians. Singapore cannot provide these essential ingredients, but it can—and will—continue supporting those who work toward a lasting peace.
The second phase of the ceasefire may yet collapse, but Singapore’s investments in Palestinian capacity-building, humanitarian assistance, and regional relationships will continue to yield dividends regardless of the conflict’s trajectory. This patient, long-term approach exemplifies Singapore’s broader foreign policy strategy: building influence through consistent, principled action rather than grand pronouncements or bold initiatives.