Singapore says prolonged suffering of civilians in Gaza is ‘unconscionable’
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Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Israel to comply with its international humanitarian obligations.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE – The prolonged suffering of civilians in Gaza arising from excessive Israeli military reaction to Hamas’ terror attacks is unconscionable, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
The denial of humanitarian aid has caused mass starvation
It reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging Israel to lift restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid to the region and for Hamas to release all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
The MFA also said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East must be allowed to resume its humanitarian mission.
“All civilians must be protected, especially those accessing humanitarian supplies. Permanent forced displacement is a further violation of international humanitarian law,” said the MFA spokesperson.
The MFA reiterated Singapore’s position for a negotiated two-state solution as the only viable path for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace.
Its statement comes after a group of 28 countries, including Britain, France, Japan and Australia, issued a joint statement on July 21 demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for Israel to lift aid restrictions.
The joint statement, signed by the foreign ministers of the 28 countries, criticised the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians and described Israel’s restriction of aid deliveries as “drip feeding”.
“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,” read the statement. It said it was “horrifying” that more than 800 Palestinians had been killed while seeking aid.
Singapore’s Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on July 23 also voiced his support
“I fully share their urgency for the sake of humanity,” he wrote on Facebook, adding that Singapore has always called for unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Israel on July 21 rejected the statement, calling it “disconnected from reality” and blamed Palestinian militant group Hamas as the only party responsible for the lack of a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 59,219 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
The Gaza conflict began after Israel retaliated against Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023, attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people.
Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas, 50 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
