Resource Packages
Conflicts in the Middle East
Topic
Defence and security
Foreign policy
Society
Subtopic
National security
Total Defence
16 October 2025
Tensions in the Middle East have been heightened since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
On 30 September 2025, the White House released Trump’s 20-point peace plan that was negotiated with the support of other Arab countries. A major development came on 9 October 2025, when Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the peace plan, which included a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The agreement marked a significant step towards ending nearly two years of war in Gaza. Since the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has handed back 20 surviving hostages to Israel in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of a reciprocal exchange. However, challenges remain, including the return of the remains of Israeli hostages, reconstruction and governance of Gaza, and Hamas disarmament.
Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, intense fighting in Gaza has led to countless civilian casualties and a dire humanitarian crisis. The impediment of humanitarian aid had caused food insecurity, displacement, and limited access to medical services. The suffering of innocent civilians underscores the urgency of a lasting peace solution between the two countries.
In June 2025, hostilities between Israel and Iran had intensified. The fight had drawn in Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Although tensions have somewhat eased following the ceasefire, concerns of a broader regional spillover persist.
To better understand the situation in the Middle East and Singapore’s position, below are some useful resources for consideration.
Further updates will be made to this resource page as the situation continues to develop.
Download:
NE Insights on the Conflicts in the Middle East [Updated Oct 2025]
MFA's Infographics on the Conflict
MFA's Infographics on Singapore's Foreign Policy Interests
MFA’s Infographics on Singapore’s Position on the Israel-palestinian Issue
Key developments
Ceasefire holds in Gaza ahead of hostage release and Trump's visit to Israel, Channel News Asia, 13 October 2025
Hamas swaps last Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Trump says Gaza war over, Channel News Asia, 13 October 2025
Trump’s Gaza deal: What we know so far, Channel News Asia, 9 October 2025
Gaza peace plan: Donald Trump's 20-point peace proposal that would end the war, Channel News Asia, 30 September 2025
Hamas under pressure as Trump issues deadline on Gaza peace plan, The Straits Times, 30 September 2025
Israel deepens Gaza City offensive as Netanyahu heads to US, The Straits Times, 25 September 2025
World Leaders UN General Assembly rally behind Palestinian statehood at UN, defying US and Israel, Channel News Asia, 23 September 2023
Israel presses on with Gaza City assault, at least 60 Palestinians killed, Channel News Asia, 21 September 2023
Arab-Islamic summit to warn Israeli attacks threaten normalisation of ties, draft resolution shows, The Straits Times, 14 September 2025
Netanyahu says getting rid of Hamas chiefs in Qatar would remove main obstacle to Gaza deal, The Straits Times, 14 September 2025
UN General Assembly votes for Hamas-free Palestinian state, The Straits Times, 13 September 2025
Israeli plan for Gaza takeover must be halted immediately, UN rights chief says, The Straits Times, 8 Aug 2025
Israel and Iran agree on ceasefire to end 12-day war, Trump says Trump says, Channel News Asia, 24 June 2025
Israel-Iran tensions escalate: How proxies, nuclear ambitions are fuelling crisis, Channel News Asia, 13 June 2025
Singapore will continue to send aid to Gaza despite Israel's ban on UN humanitarian agency: Vivian Balakrishnan, Channel News Asia, 12 Nov 2024
Singapore 'deeply concerned' about recent Middle East developments, including killing of Hamas chief Haniyeh, Channel News Asia, 1 Aug 2024
US announces 10-nation coalition to combat Huthi attacks in Red Sea, Today Online, 19 Dec 2023
Israel vows ‘mighty vengeance’ after deadliest day for 50 years 8 Oct 2023
What is the Palestinian group Hamas?, The Straits Times, 7 Oct 2023
Key reports from Singapore
Singapore not campaigning to be part of Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’: Vivian Balakrishnan, Channel News Asia, 15 October 2025
Singapore calls on Hamas to accept Trump's Gaza peace plan, Channel News Asia, 30 September 2025
Weakening of UN would be dire for small states like Singapore, says Vivian Balakrishnan, The Straits Times, 28 September 2025
Singapore urges UN to curb Security Council vetoes and reform for greater inclusivity, Channel News Asia, 23 September 2025
Singapore reaffirms support for two-state solution at UN conference on Palestine, Channel News Asia, 23 September 2025
Singapore’s recognition of a Palestinian state ‘not a question of if, but when’: Faishal Ibrahim, The Straits Times, 22 September 2025
Singapore will oppose any steps by Israel to undermine two-state solution; to reconsider Palestine position if situation deteriorates, Channel News Asia, 22 September 2025
‘Egregious and dangerous’: Israel’s air strike in Doha a ‘blatant violation’ of Qatar’s sovereignty, says MFA, The Straits Times, 10 September 2025
Shanmugam lays out S’pore’s approach to helping Palestinians, condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza, The Straits Times, 3 September 2025
Singapore deploys C-130 for second airdrop ops to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, The Straits Times, 12 August 2025
Singapore 'deeply concerned' about Israel's plan to expand military operations in Gaza: MFA Channel News Asia, 10 August 2025
Singapore prepared to contribute to Gaza reconstruction once permanent ceasefire reached, Channel News Asia, 30 Jul 2025
Singapore deeply distressed by deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip: MFA, The Straits Times, 13 November 2024
UN cannot allow violations of international law to become normalised, says Vivian Balakrishnan, The Straits Times, 29 Sep 2024
‘We do not take sides, we uphold principles’: Vivian on Singapore’s foreign policy approach, The Straits Times, 28 Aug 2024
GPS Jamming, Harsh Environment: RSAF Aircrew Recount Challenges of Gaza Airdrops, The Straits Times, 29 Jun 2024
SAF Sends Medical Team to Egypt to Treat Casualties From Gaza, The Straits Times, 19 Jan 2024
PAP, WP and PSP Condemn Violence Against Civilians in Israel-Hamas War, Urge Cohesion and Harmony, The Straits Times, 7 Nov 2023
Israel-Hamas Conflict a 'Reminder' for Singapore That It Has National Interests at Stake: Vivian Balakrishnan, Channel News Asia, 6 Nov 2023
Singapore Votes In Favour of UN Resolution to Protect Civilians, Uphold Humanitarian Obligations in Gaza Strip, Channel News Asia, 28 Oct 2023
Singapore's Chief Rabbi, Mufti Reaffirm Solidarity Between Communities Amid 'Senseless' Israel-Hamas War, Channel News Asia, 15 Oct 2023
Singapore Must Never Let External Events Affect 'Precious Peace': Shanmugam on Israel-Hamas War, Channel News Asia, 13 Oct 2023
Official statements by Government agencies
(PQ) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Oral Reply to Parliamentary Questions on the "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict", 15 October 2025
(PQ) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions, 15 October 2025
(PQ) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s Written Reply to Parliamentary Question, 14 October 2025
(Statement) MFA Spokesperson’s Comments on the Situation in Gaza, 9 October 2025
(Transcript) Transcript of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Wrap Up Interview with Singapore Media during the 80th Session of The United Nations General Assembly High Level Week in New York, 28 September 2025
(Statement) Minister For Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's National Statement at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 27 September 2025
(Statement) Minister For Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Ministerial Statement On The Situation In The Middle East, 22 September 2025
(PQ) Supplementary Questions For Minister For Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Following The Ministerial Statement On The Situation In The Middle East, 22 September 2025
(Statement) Situation in the Middle East, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 September 2025
(Statement) MFA Spokesperson’s Comments on Israel’s Airstrikes in Doha, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 September 2025
(News Release) Singapore Deploys RSAF C-130 to Conduct Airdrop Operations for Gaza and Deliver the Ninth Tranche of Humanitarian Aid for Gaza, MINDEF, 12 Aug 2025
(Statement) MFA Spokesperson's Comments on the Situation in Gaza, 10 August 2025
(Transcript) United Nations High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, 28 to 30 July 2025
(PQ) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on the Israel-Hamas Conflict, 8 April 2025
(Statement) MFA Spokesperson's Comments in Response to Media Queries on the Issue of Recognition of the Palestinian State, 17 April 2025
(Transcript) Transcript of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Wrap-Up Interview with Singapore Media During the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, 27 September 2024, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep 2024
(Transcript) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Oral Reply to Parliamentary Questions on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, 7 August 2024, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug 2024
(Transcript) Handover Ceremony for the Fourth Tranche of Humanitarian Assistance for Gaza, 22 July 2024, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 Jul 2024
(Transcript) Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony on 25 Jun 2024, Ministry of Defence, 25 Jun 2024
(Infographic) Parliamentary Motion on the Israel-Hamas Conflict, 6 November 2023
(Statement) Supported UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution for a humanitarian truce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct 2023
For more statements, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.