Singaporean humanitarian activist Gilbert Goh’s organisation, Love Aid Singapore, does not need approval from the Singapore Government to carry out humanitarian operations in Palestine, three government ministries have clarified.
The clarification came after Goh met the Office of the Commissioner of Charities on Sept. 21 to discuss matters involving his organisation, including its humanitarian activities and a proposed partnership with Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Love Aid Singapore would instead need to comply with Palestinian requirements. The Palestinian Authority has advised the organisation to register with its Ministry of Interior for operations there.
The clarification follows social-media posts by Goh earlier in September indicating that he would meet the Commissioner of Charities. The 65-year-old returned to Singapore on Sept. 16 after travelling to the West Bank, where Love Aid has been involved in humanitarian activities including food distribution and educational support.
Another issue discussed was Goh’s intention to sign a memorandum of understanding with Al-Awda Hospital.
Singapore’s Commissioner of Charities clarified that the decision to enter into such an agreement rests with Love Aid Singapore. However, the Palestinian Authority had indicated that Al-Awda Hospital is not affiliated with the authority and that it has no role in managing the hospital.
Love Aid Singapore was therefore advised to conduct its own due diligence before deciding whether to proceed with the proposed collaboration.
The latest clarification comes against the backdrop of Love Aid Singapore’s growing humanitarian work involving Palestinians.
The organisation has previously raised funds from Singaporeans for relief projects, including food assistance and medical initiatives in Gaza. In 2025, Goh said donations had helped support community kitchens and a Singapore-funded polyclinic in the Al Bureij refugee camp.
Singapore has also continued its own humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. The government said it has provided 11 tranches of direct humanitarian support to Gaza worth more than US$19 million, in addition to capacity-building efforts.
The government said it encourages Singaporeans who want to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza to use credible channels, including the Palestinian Authority, international organisations such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, as well as Singapore-based organisations including the Singapore Red Cross and Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation.
The clarification separates two issues that had become intertwined: whether Singaporean authorities must approve Love Aid Singapore’s humanitarian work overseas, and whether the organisation meets the legal and administrative requirements of the authorities where it operates.
For Goh and Love Aid Singapore, the immediate focus now appears to be on complying with Palestinian registration requirements and carrying out due diligence on potential partners while continuing its humanitarian activities.
