Gaza peace plan 'incredible achievement' for Trump: Vivian Balakrishnan

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking in Parliament on Oct. 15, Vivian commended "the incredible achievement of U.S. President Trump, his negotiating team... and also the invaluable part played by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey."

He added that Singapore welcomed the agreement reached by Israel and Hamas.

"The first phase is now being implemented, and in particular, that means a ceasefire and the release of the hostages... This is the first step of what will, in fact, be a long and arduous journey to peace," Vivian said.

He also cautioned that they should be under no illusion that many things could still go wrong.

He said that the next step would be in humanitarian assistance, sharing what Singapore has done and hoping to do more.

Over the last two years, Singapore has worked with numerous organisations, such as the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Jordanian Hashemite charity organisation and the World Food Programme.

Singapore has also worked with several Egyptian hospitals, providing medical treatment whenever hospital ships have been in the area.

"So we will certainly look forward to doing more with our partners in the region... We also expect the Israelis to do their part to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance over land, through the crossings, into Gaza," added Vivian.

While Vivian said it was premature to discuss what Singapore would do with the transitional authority, it would certainly want to do more with the Palestinian authority in the short term.

"Again we will need time, and we will stand ready to respond to the Palestinian authority's assessment of its own needs, and particularly, I hope, its ability to exercise governance in Gaza as well, an area in which it has not been able to exercise governance for two decades."

Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize?

In a follow-up question, Member of Parliament (MP) Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked if the government views Trump's peace plan as a credible step towards a "genuine two state solution".

He also questioned whether Singapore would nominate or support Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, even though it may be premature to tell if this peace plan would endure and be effective.

Vivian responded that the peace plan, while a great achievement, is the first and essential step.

It is not sufficient to achieve peace, security, and ultimately a two-state solution.

Vivian added that the peace plan "sets the stage where it is possible to imagine a negotiated two-state solution can emerge."

However, he reminded the chamber that this particular conflict, one of the most "intractable conflicts", has been going on for a very long time.

Vivian said while they were all "cheered by the current positive news", he said people "should be very realistic and psychologically be prepared that this will be a long and arduous journey".

"For Singapore, we should maintain our consistent, principled approach. We should continue to have effective bridges and access to all the stakeholders. We should, wherever possible within the limits of our capability, be constructive, reliable partners. For peace, for development and long-term reconciliation, between two peoples who have been through unimaginable horrors in the last two years."

Trump's peace plan

On Oct. 8 (U.S. time), United States President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had both signed off on "the first Phase of our Peace Plan."

Hamas would release all remaining hostages, and Israel would withdraw to a previously agreed-upon line.

Trump hailed the agreement as a “GREAT Day” for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the U.S., writing on a Truth Social post “, BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS”.

CBS News reported that an agreement “in principle” had been reached between all sides, but “procedural issues remained”.

On Oct. 9, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam commended Trump "for pushing both sides."

"And ultimately, only the United States of America can influence Israel's cause of action, and he has done that.

I think a lot of it, lot of the credit, even for us to be here, has to go to him."

Shanmugam also noted that Trump has been taking a personal interest in trying to achieve peace in the Middle East.

"So you know, every action of his, every statement of his, suggests that that is his specific desire. So we hope that he achieves his state goals. It will help the people of Palestine," said Shanmugam.

Top photos via MDDI/YouTube & The White House