Singapore Deploys RSAF C-130 to Conduct Airdrop Operations for Gaza and Deliver the Ninth Tranche of Humanitarian Aid for Gaza

The RSAF's C-130 departing Paya Lebar Air Base for Jordan earlier today.

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, engaging with RSAF aircrew.

Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim, SMS Zaqy and MOS Choo engaging with NGO representatives.

Personnel from the SAF's Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre (RHCC) taking stock of humanitarian aid contributed by Non-Governmental Organisation, Humanity Matters.

The Singapore Government has deployed a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft to Jordan this morning. At the invitation of the Jordanian government, the C-130 will conduct airdrop operations alongside other foreign air forces to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The C-130 carried humanitarian aid comprising medical supplies from the Ministry of Health (MOH), and food supplies from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Humanity Matters, Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS), Mercy Relief, and the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), coordinated through the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC). 58 defence and military personnel were deployed in support of these operations.

The send-off ceremony at Paya Lebar Air Base was attended by Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Defence, Mr Desmond Choo, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Singapore, Qais Biltaji, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Shamsher Zaman, and Singapore’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hawazi Daipi. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim was also present to meet with representatives from the participating NGOs.

SMS Zaqy said, "The SAF stands ready to support humanitarian assistance into Gaza. This is one way to show how the whole community rallies together to show compassion and shows how it brings together all the resources and Singaporeans...This reflects the SAF's operational readiness, commitment and professionalism to aid those in need, and certainly the assistance of the SAF’s Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC) to bring together all these food packages.”

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Associate Prof Faishal Ibrahim said, “I thank the Muslim community and all Singaporeans for your generosity, compassion, and prayers. Every act of giving is a light in the darkness for someone in need. Let us continue to keep Gaza in our prayers, support humanitarian initiatives, and work towards a future of peace, safety, and dignity for all.”

This is the second time the RSAF C-130 is conducting airdrop operations to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, Singapore and Singaporeans have conveyed nine tranches of humanitarian assistance for Gaza, totalling over S$22 million. Singapore will continue to work closely with our regional partners to support the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.