SINGAPORE: The Singapore authorities on Tuesday (Nov 18) welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s endorsement of a United States-drafted peace plan for Gaza.
The decision, which incorporates the deployment of a world power and a path to a future Palestinian state, obtained 13 votes in its favour on Monday and no vetoes. China and Russia abstained.
The endorsement is a “important step ahead in direction of an enduring peace in Gaza”, mentioned a Ministry of Overseas Affairs (MFA) spokesperson on Tuesday.
“It’s vital that the present ceasefire be maintained by all events, and to permit for the swift and unimpeded supply of humanitarian help into Gaza.”
The Gaza Strip has been largely decreased to rubble after two years of combating, sparked by militant group Hamas’ assault on Israel on Oct 7, 2023.
A ceasefire got here into impact on Oct 10 this 12 months, however Gaza’s future remained unsure as key questions, similar to its future governance and Hamas’ disarmament, remained unresolved.
The most recent textual content for the peace plan authorises the creation of a world power that might work with Israel and Egypt and newly-trained Palestinian police to assist safe border areas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip.
It additionally permits the formation of a transitional governing physique for Gaza, which US President Donald Trump has mentioned he would chair, with a mandate operating till the top of 2027.
A doable future Palestinian state can be talked about.
As soon as the Palestinian Authority has carried out requested reforms and the rebuilding of Gaza is underway, “the circumstances could lastly be in place for a reputable pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood”, the textual content says.
That is an eventuality that Israel has rejected.
“Singapore will contribute to worldwide efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza upon a everlasting ceasefire being secured,” mentioned the MFA spokesperson.
They added that the nation welcomed the US’ proposal to determine a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceable and affluent coexistence.
“We assist the precise of the Palestinians to self-determination and their very own state as a part of a negotiated two-state answer, in line with related UN Safety Council resolutions,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Singapore has delivered a number of tranches of help to Gaza for the reason that conflict broke out. In November, the Ministry of Well being mentioned it had donated 100 sets of prosthetic limbs to a Jordanian initiative that helps Palestinian amputees affected by the Gaza battle.
