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JERUSALEM<\/span> \u2013 Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will visit the Palestinian Territories and Israel from Nov 3 to 6.<\/p>\n Dr Balakrishnan\u2019s trip follows the recent implementation of the first phase of the <\/p>\n ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas<\/p>\n <\/a> in Gaza and the release of hostages.<\/p>\n Announcing the working visit on Nov 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said: \u201cIt reaffirms Singapore\u2019s commitment towards humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and our support for the two-state solution.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore will continue to support the Palestinian Authority\u2019s capacity-building programmes and assist international efforts for the long-term reconstruction of Gaza,\u201d the ministry added.<\/p>\n In a Facebook post on Nov 3, Dr Balakrishnan noted that the fragile first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza is still holding, adding: \u201cThis is an important window to consolidate peace and meet urgent humanitarian needs on the ground.\u201d <\/p>\n He added that on behalf of Singapore, he will be handing over a cheque of US$500,000 (S$652,000) to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support its vital and necessary work. \u201cThe humanitarian needs on the ground are immense,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is one of the world\u2019s largest humanitarian organisations addressing hunger and promoting food security.<\/p>\n The ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct 10, marked the start of the first phase of a deal brokered by international mediators to end the fighting in Gaza after two years, and allow humanitarian aid to flow into the enclave.<\/p>\n Hamas\u2019 unprecedented <\/p>\n attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023<\/p>\n <\/a>, killed about 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and another 250 were taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel\u2019s military response has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins. <\/p>\n Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas <\/p>\n released its remaining living hostages<\/p>\n <\/a>, while Israel began a partial withdrawal of its troops from Gaza and permitted greater humanitarian access. The truce was seen as the most significant step toward ending the two-year conflict and paving the way for the territory\u2019s eventual reconstruction.<\/p>\n Talks are ongoing on the next phases of the peace plan, including arrangements for Gaza\u2019s governance and long-term security.<\/p>\n Dr Balakrishnan had, in <\/p>\n calls with his counterparts from the Palestinian Authority and Israel<\/p>\n <\/a> in September, stressed Singapore\u2019s position that a negotiated two-state solution is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just and durable solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also hoped that both sides would return to direct negotiations towards a two-state solution.<\/p>\n On Nov 3, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore continues to reiterate its support for a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, \u201cas the only path to a just and lasting peace\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore has good access and reservoirs of trust on both sides in this longstanding and tragic conflict. This allows us to better understand the situation on the ground and to contribute constructively,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n