Singapore Deploys SAF-MOH Medical Team to Egypt for Gaza Civilian Care in Coming Weeks

By
Siti Hajar
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A medical contingent from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will fly to Egypt in the coming weeks to provide care to Palestinians from Gaza, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced on 16 Apr 2025.

An advance party consisting of eight SAF personnel departed on 16 Apr, with one MOH representative joining them on 22 Apr.

The team will engage with Egyptian authorities and on-the-ground groups to assess what preparations are needed for the main deployment.

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Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli, and Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad attended the send-off ceremony at MINDEF headquarters at Gombak Drive.

SAF-MOH Medical Support for Gaza Civilians in Egyptian Hospitals

Dr Ng stated that Singapore has been looking to ease the suffering of Palestinians since the 7 Oct 2023 attack and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

“In selecting what we can contribute, we’ve been very careful to look at what we can accomplish, whether we can be effective and also keep soldiers and personnel safe,” he said.

The medical contingent will focus on Egyptian hospitals where Palestinians from Gaza have been evacuated to and treated since the January ceasefire.

SAF and MOH personnel will assist the Egyptian medical staff who have agreed to the collaboration.

The deployment is expected to be longer than usual, potentially lasting months if the team proves effective in making a difference.

MINDEF noted that “the number of residents from Gaza that can be helped in Egyptian hospitals will be many times compared to previous SAF efforts.”

Singapore’s Ongoing Humanitarian Support for Gaza

This deployment adds to Singapore’s previous relief efforts for Gaza, which include:

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The deployment of a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft that delivered humanitarian aid.

A medical team sent aboard a French hospital ship to treat casualties from Gaza at Egypt’s El-Arish Port.

Airdropping operations for supplies into Gaza via C-130 aircraft.

Mr Zaqy visited Egypt in February to explore areas for further collaboration between the two countries.

He met with the Egyptian Minister for Health and Population, Dr Khaled Abdelghaffar, and Assistant Minister of Defence for Foreign Affairs, General Walaa Adel Bibers, which helped open doors for Singapore’s contribution.

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“Having visited the patients, those who were victims of the conflict… there is a lot Singapore can contribute to do our part to alleviate the pain and suffering for those affected. I am proud there is no shortage of volunteers,” Mr Zaqy said.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, Singapore has sent seven tranches of humanitarian assistance for Gaza, totaling more than S$19 million.

Mr Masagos noted that the community in Singapore has raised S$15 million for the people of Gaza, with S$2 million collected during Ramadan in March. Combined with government contributions, more than S$20 million has been directed to support Gaza.

On 14 Apr 2025, Israel proposed a 45-day ceasefire. If accepted, Hamas would release 10 hostages while Israel would release 1,231 Palestinians and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been fully blocked since 2 Mar.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated in April that the situation in Gaza is “likely the worst it has been” since the conflict began.

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Siti Hajar