SINGAPORE: Singaporean activist Gilbert Goh, founder of Love Aid Singapore, has announced the immediate cessation of collaboration with the NGO International Relief Organisation (IRO).

This decision follows IRO’s involvement in a court case with German authorities concerning allegations of incitement. Goh announced this update via Love Aid Singapore’s Instagram on Friday (18 Oct).

In consultation with the Commissioner of Charities (COC), Goh stated, “We have decided to cease collaboration with our partner NGO in Gaza, International Relief Organisation, with immediate effect.”

The Palestinian NGO, registered in Germany, is facing legal challenges due to politically charged postings made by its head, which have drawn scrutiny from German authorities.

Germany’s position regarding the conflict has been notable, as it has consistently supported Israel’s military actions.

Reports from Anadolu Agency on Monday (14 Oct) indicated that Germany reiterated its support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, despite rising civilian casualties.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer stated, “We see no signs that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza,” during a press briefing in Berlin.

His comments followed airstrikes by Israeli warplanes on tents housing displaced Palestinians near Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, resulting in multiple civilian deaths and injuries.

Fischer also dismissed media claims suggesting that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had blocked weapons exports to Israel, emphasizing that Germany’s stance had not changed.

He noted, “We have spoken here often, we have presented this before the International Court of Justice, the minister has spoken out, and our position has not changed.”

Last year, Germany approved arms exports to Israel worth 326.5 million euros (US$363.5 million), although approvals dropped significantly this year, totaling only 14.5 million euros (US$15.7 million) from January to 21 August.

Amid these developments, Goh emphasized that Love Aid Singapore, as a humanitarian outreach group, strives to remain neutral in political matters despite its pro-Palestinian stance.

“We are here to help the Palestinians with our humanitarian work and, if possible, avoid any political trappings as a result of our stand,” he explained.

In light of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Love Aid Singapore has submitted an application to the COC for a new NGO—a humanitarian entity with established contacts in Gaza.

Goh has requested an expedited review of this application, expressing hope that the new collaboration can commence swiftly.

“We hope to begin work by next week in Gaza with the new charity group,” he stated.

The organization plans to gradually transfer all initiatives from IRO to the new group to ensure that Gaza Aid charity work continues without interruption.

“Nothing will be shortchanged; everything will resume as much as possible, if not all,” Goh reassured supporters.

Despite the challenges presented by this setback, Goh remains committed to providing aid to the suffering Palestinians in Gaza.

Since Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza last October, over 42,200 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 99,000 have been injured, predominantly women and children.

According to the United Nations, Israel has also prohibited the entry of food and essential supplies into Northern Gaza since October, putting 1 million people at risk of starvation.

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A post shared by Gilbert Goh (@loveaidsg)

The United States has issued a written ultimatum to Israel, urging the country to increase humanitarian aid access to Gaza or face potential cuts to military assistance.

The letter, sent on Sunday, marks the strongest known warning from the US to Israel on this issue, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate amid ongoing military operations. The communication, confirmed by the US State Department, was signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The letter highlights Washington’s concerns over the rising civilian casualties and the humanitarian blockade in Gaza.

It notes that Israel impeded nearly 90% of humanitarian movements between the northern and southern regions of Gaza last month. These actions, it asserts, are contributing to worsening conditions for the Palestinian population.

Israel’s northern offensive, targeting Hamas militants, has reportedly caused significant civilian harm, drawing international scrutiny.

The letter demands immediate actions from Israel to allow humanitarian aid, stressing that failure to comply could impact future US military assistance. According to US law, military aid can be cut off if a recipient country impedes the delivery of US humanitarian aid.

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇱Secretary of State Blinken & Secretary of Defense Austin sent a letter on Monday to Israel demanding it takes steps within 30 days to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza in order to avoid consequences in U.S. law for U.S. milirary aid to Israel. See letter here: pic.twitter.com/N9DDMqsL7u

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 15, 2024

The US is the largest supplier of arms to Israel, which has relied on US-supplied military equipment during its recent operations in Gaza.

However, Washington is now calling for a rapid increase in humanitarian assistance, particularly ahead of the winter season. The letter outlines concrete steps that Israel must take, including allowing the entry of at least 350 aid trucks per day through multiple border crossings and ending the isolation of northern Gaza.

Secretary Blinken and Defence Secretary Austin expressed deep concern over the “accelerated deterioration” of living conditions for Palestinians, especially the 1.7 million people forced into the overcrowded al-Mawasi area. These displaced individuals are facing the risk of lethal disease outbreaks due to the dire living conditions.

On Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that the letter was a private diplomatic communication, though he did not speculate on what specific consequences Israel might face if it does not comply.

He emphasised that US law prohibits military assistance to countries obstructing humanitarian aid, but expressed optimism that Israel would address the concerns raised.

In response to criticisms about the timing of the ultimatum, Miller clarified that the 30-day period was unrelated to the upcoming US presidential election in November. Instead, he said it was an appropriate timeframe for Israel to address the issues involved.

For its part, Israel maintains that it is not obstructing humanitarian aid, insisting that the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations are responsible for the distribution of supplies. The Israeli military also accuses Hamas of diverting aid for its own purposes, which Hamas has consistently denied.

Despite these claims, the UN has reported severe shortages in Gaza, particularly in the northern regions.

The two-week pause in aid deliveries to northern Gaza ended on Monday when the Israeli military allowed 30 trucks of aid from the World Food Programme to enter through the Erez crossing. The United Nations had previously warned that food and essential supplies were running out for the 400,000 Palestinians still living in the north.

The Israeli military, while acknowledging the US concerns, has continued its ground operations, particularly in Jabalia, a town in northern Gaza.

This latest offensive has caused heavy civilian casualties, with Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reporting that 42 bodies were recovered from air and artillery strikes on Tuesday. The victims reportedly included 11 members of the same family.

The offensive in Jabalia is part of Israel’s broader campaign to root out Hamas fighters, which was launched after the group’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

That assault left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 others taken hostage, prompting Israel to initiate a military response aimed at destroying Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza.

As part of the current ground campaign, Israeli forces have ordered evacuations from several northern Gaza areas, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia, pushing residents toward the al-Mawasi region.

However, local reports suggest that many civilians are unable or unwilling to leave due to the ongoing fighting, sickness, or physical incapacity.

Israeli human rights groups have warned of a possible “forced transfer” of civilians, citing the controversial Generals’ Plan, which aims to evacuate the northern population entirely. Israeli authorities deny this, claiming that evacuation orders are only intended to keep civilians safe.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn widespread international concern. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported on Tuesday that families in northern Gaza are facing “unimaginable fear, loss of loved ones, confusion, and exhaustion.” The organisation stressed the urgency of addressing the humanitarian needs in the region as the Israeli military continues its operations.

Amidst these developments, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights group in the US, has called for the resignation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken. CAIR’s demand follows reports that Blinken allegedly misled Congress earlier this year by denying that Israel was blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to an investigation by ProPublica, Blinken told Congress in May that “we do not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or otherwise restricting the transport or delivery of US humanitarian assistance.”

However, ProPublica reports that two US government authorities—the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department’s refugee bureau—had concluded that Israel was deliberately blocking the delivery of food and medicine to Gaza.

These findings were reportedly shared with senior diplomats in late April, weeks before Blinken’s statement to Congress. CAIR has accused Blinken of lying to lawmakers and has called for his resignation due to what it sees as a serious breach of trust and accountability.