SINGAPORE: Singapore on Thursday (Aug 1) expressed its concerns about recent developments in the Middle East, including the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Haniyeh’s death, which was caused by a missile strike in Iran’s capital Tehran on Wednesday, has renewed fears of the Gaza war turning into a broader Middle East conflict.
The death of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif in a strike carried out by Israel last month and confirmed by Israel’s military on Thursday, while top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was also killed in an Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut earlier this week, raising the risk of escalation.
“Singapore is deeply concerned about recent developments in the Middle East, including the killing of the Hamas political leader in Iran who was involved in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza,” a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement.
“This puts at risk efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement that would allow for the release of all hostages and facilitate humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.”
As the political chief of Hamas, Haniyeh had been overseeing the negotiations for a deal to end the war in Gaza and release hostages held in the territory in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
“Singapore calls on all parties to take de-escalatory steps to avoid exacerbating tensions and a wider regional conflagration,” the MFA spokesperson added.