Singapore warns public against the use of signs, symbols linked to Israel-Hamas war

The Singapore Government has barred citizens from using displays or wearing symbols and emblems linked to the Israel-Hamas war warning that such people could be jailed adding that the conflict is an “emotive issue” that could disrupt national peace. In a statement on Monday, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said that the country’s law prohibits the display or wearing of foreign national emblems, including flags and banners of any state. In addition to this, people are also prohibited from promoting or supporting terrorism by wearing apparel or exhibiting paraphernalia with logos of terrorist groups such as Hamas and its military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades. Those convicted can face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 500 Singapore dollars ($370) or both. Meanwhile, travelers who wear such apparel will be denied entry into Singapore, the statement added. Those who want to help people affected by the war can do so by contributing to authorised fund-raising activities and donation drives in support of humanitarian relief efforts. Israel-Gaza war update The Palestinian Health Ministry has said more than 60 per cent of hospitals and medical centres in Gaza are now out of service. Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said 16 of 35 hospitals and 51 of 72 medical centers are no longer operational in the Gaza Strip owing to fuel shortages and Israeli bombardment. The Palestinian Health Ministery added that the death count in Gaza has risen to 10,000 since Israel launched its counteroffensive against Hamas on October 7. According to the ministry, 70 per cent of those killed in the region are children, women and the elderly. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will have “overall security responsibility” over the Gaza Strip “for an indefinite period” after the war with Hamas ends. “I think Israel for an indefinite period will have the overall security responsibility because we’ve seen what happens when we don’t have it. When we don’t have that security responsibility, what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn’t imagine,” he said on ABC News. With inputs from agencies