“DEEPLY PAINFUL” SITUATION
“In recent years, the focus in the Middle East has been Palestine,” Assoc Prof Faishal said, adding: “The situation there, especially in Gaza, is deeply painful. The suffering of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories, including children, is unbearable.”
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday that Israel may be breaching international law by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Wong said that Israel’s response to the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023, had “gone too far” and that its actions had caused a “terrible humanitarian disaster”.
“In our opinion, it may even be a likely breach of international humanitarian law. So it cannot be justified,” he said.
Assoc Prof Faishal said: “(Mr Wong) said plainly that Israel has gone too far in its actions.
“In particular, the restrictions it has imposed on the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Gaza are completely unacceptable. In the opinion of the Singapore government, Israel’s actions are likely to be in breach of international humanitarian law.”
Assoc Prof Faishal also noted that the government had joined other countries in strongly urging an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilian lives, the return of hostages and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
He added that he was “thankful that leaders like Madam Halimah Yacob have spoken about the crisis in Gaza and have helped all Singaporeans think of the tragedy with compassion and grace”.
