Palestinian father names newborn daughter Singapore

A baby girl, whose father works as a cook at a Singapore soup kitchen in Gaza, was named "Singapore" in appreciation of the help provided by a charity in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

The child's birth on Oct 16 was shared on social media by Love Aid Singapore, led by Singaporean activist Gilbert Goh.

Mr Hamdan Hadad told a fellow employee at Love Aid that he has been working at the kitchen for two years.

He said that his wife had relied on the soup kitchen for nourishment during her pregnancy, with the regular meals helping her survive the war-induced famine amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"I'm happy and I want to name her Singapore because I really love them," Mr Hamdan said, while carrying his newborn daughter.

Love Aid said the baby, weighing 2.7kg at birth, is the first Palestinian to be named "Singapore", showing a birth certificate with her name.

In a post on its Instagram account on Oct 18, Love Aid Singapore wished the baby good health, adding its hope that she will be welcomed into a "bright new world" in the form of a permanent ceasefire.

The current Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in 2023 after Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct 7 attack and kidnapping of more than 250 hostages. Israel responded with a military offensive against Hamas that has killed tens of thousands, many of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip.

A ceasefire that is being implemented in phases started on Oct 10.

The Singapore Red Cross said it has contributed at least $1.9 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza since 2023.