Israel restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza may be breaching international law & 'completely unacceptable': PM Wong

On May 30, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke about Singapore's position on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, part of Macron's state visit to Singapore.

Aid restriction

Macron had responded to a question about the ongoing conflict, where, in recent weeks, Israel had once again ramped up its military strikes in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths, including many children.

In addition, Israel had been restricting aid to Gaza, threatening many civilians with starvation.

According to the UN, despite their promise to lift the siege, Israel has still been blocking aid.

Gone too far

PM Wong said that he should "highlight Singapore's position on the matter".

Referencing the Oct 2022 attack by Hamas that had sparked this current wave of violence in the decades-long conflict, PM Wong said that Singapore had "always said Israel had a right to defend itself".

But "Israel's response had gone too far", with its actions causing a "terrible humanitarian disaster."

He further said that the "restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian supplies are completely unacceptable".

"In our opinion, it may even be a likely breach of international humanitarian law. So it cannot be justified."

Immediate ceasefire

PM Wong said Singapore joined countries around the world in calling for an "immediate ceasefire for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid".

PM Wong also called for the "protection of aid, and also for the return of hostages".

According to the BBC, Hamas is believed to be holding 58 hostages in Gaza, of which 20 are believed to be alive. 251 hostages were estimated to have been kidnapped on Oct. 7 2022, and 1,200 people were killed.

The BBC estimates that in the military retaliation that followed, at least 54,249 people in Gaza have been killed, including nearly 4,000 since a temporary ceasefire with Hamas ended earlier in 2025.

PM Wong reiterated Singapore's broader position regarding the Palestinian people, saying that Singapore supported the right of the Palestinian people to their own homeland.

"This," PM Wong said, "has to be done as part of a negotiated two-state solution".

This was the only way for a "comprehensive, just, and durable solution" for the longstanding conflict to be found.

Saudi-French conference

PM Wong referred to the many international efforts on both establishing a lasting ceasefire and towards the return of hostages, as well as towards a negotiated two-state solution.

PM Wong said that Singapore would join the international community in participating in a United Nations conference jointly organised by France and Saudi Arabia in June 2025, aimed towards "a durable solution".

Top image via PMO/YouTube