On 19 October 2025, Professor Tommy Koh, special adviser to the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), praised a Palestinian couple in Gaza for naming their newborn daughter ‘Singapore’.
The girl, born on 16 October 2025, shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, was named in appreciation of the humanitarian aid provided by Singaporeans to Gaza.
In his original post, Professor Koh described the news as his “happy story of the day, ” noting the couple’s “gratitude to Singapore for the humanitarian aid which the people and government of Singapore have been sending to the people of Gaza.”
Prof Koh further wished the child “a safe, peaceful and successful life”.
According to a video posted by Love Aid Singapore’s founder Gilbert Goh on 16 October 2025, the baby’s father, Hamdan Hadad, explained that his wife had relied on meals from the organisation’s food kitchen during her pregnancy, when shortages and famine conditions worsened across Gaza.
The family later received financial assistance and support from the NGO.
Hamdan, who works at the same aid kitchen, said the name ‘Singapore’ symbolised his gratitude to Singaporeans who had extended compassion and assistance during the crisis.
“This is the first Palestinian girl to be named Singapore,” a presenter said in the video, showing the child’s birth certificate as proof.
Following Professor Koh’s post, several netizens responded by drawing attention to the contribution of Love Aid Singapore and its founder Gilbert Goh.
Comments emphasised that the NGO had maintained aid operations in both northern and southern Gaza for over two years, often under hazardous conditions.
Some commenters noted that the family’s decision to name their baby ‘Singapore’ stemmed directly from their experience with the organisation’s relief work.
Others argued that the gesture was a tribute to Singaporeans who supported the NGO’s fundraising and aid missions.
One user wrote that the act “was done out of gratitude for Love Aid Singapore, led by the noble Gilbert Goh, who represents the compassion of Singaporeans”.
Another said Goh “deserves credit for being on the ground when few others could reach Gaza”.
In response to these reactions, Prof Koh later edited his original post to acknowledge that the couple’s gratitude was directed toward Singaporeans collectively for the aid extended to Gaza through various humanitarian efforts.
Comments under a post by state media outlet CNA also reflected similar sentiments, with many urging the Singapore government to recognise Gilbert Goh’s humanitarian service officially.
Singapore’s foreign minister says he cannot verify what happens to Singapore’s aid once it enters Gaza
During a 22 September parliamentary session on Singapore’s response to the Middle East situation, Yio Chu Kang Member of Parliament Yip Hon Weng asked Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan how effective Singapore’s humanitarian assistance had been in meeting the needs of Gaza residents.
In reply, Dr Balakrishnan detailed Singapore’s ten tranches of humanitarian assistance delivered to Gaza through airdrops and overland routes.
However, he noted that he “cannot attest to what happens once it gets into Gaza,” acknowledging the complex realities of aid distribution in the conflict zone.
Despite these uncertainties, Dr Balakrishnan expressed deep gratitude to Singaporeans for their generosity and to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for playing a crucial role in the delivery of aid.
He emphasised Singapore’s long-standing relationships across the Middle East, which have enabled cooperation with multiple partners — including Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt — to deliver humanitarian support and coordinate medical aid.
He also highlighted collaborative initiatives such as community policing and a training programme jointly conducted with Japan to prepare police officers under the Palestinian Authority for future statehood.
From solo initiative to multi-million-dollar relief effort
In contrast, activist Gilbert Goh and his organisation, Love Aid Singapore, have operated directly in Gaza for over two years.
The NGO has established three food kitchens — one in northern Gaza and two in the south — alongside two polyclinics and three tent schools. The northern polyclinic was later relocated south following security concerns.
To date, the organisation has raised approximately S$6.2 million, sourced entirely from donations made by Singaporeans.
According to Goh, the NGO has not received government funding.
In a June 2025 interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Goh said the NGO started as a “one-man effort” but has since grown into a large-scale humanitarian initiative.
“Singapore is small, we are generous, we are very focused,” he said. “I think we can do wonders in the humanitarian world.”
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