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SINGAPORE on Sunday called the Israeli ceasefire in Gaza a 'positive development' and urged all parties to address the humanitarian situation in the area.
It said it was still concerned about the humanitarian situation after Israel unilaterally halted its 22-day offensive which has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians in the Hamas-run enclave.
'This is a positive development and we urge all parties concerned to make every effort to respect the ceasefire and ensure the full cessation of hostilities in Gaza,' said a foreign ministry spokesman.
'We remain deeply concerned over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and urge all sides to take urgent steps to address the situation.'
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Saturday announced the end of offensive operations but said troops would stay in Gaza for the time being with orders to return fire if attacked.
Hamas, an Islamist group which has ruled Gaza since June 2007 and is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, has said it will not accept the presence of a single Israeli soldier in the territory. -- AFP
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