S'pore says denial of aid in Gaza violates international law, calls on Israel to 'immediately lift all restrictions'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated that the denial of humanitarian aid in Gaza is a violation of international humanitarian law.

In comments published on Jul. 24, an MFA spokesperson said that the suffering of the people in Gaza due to the "excessive Israeli military reaction" to Hamas' terror attacks is "unconscionable".

The spokesperson noted that the denial of aid "has caused mass starvation and a dire lack of essential medical services. The reports of people being shot whilst desperately trying to access food are shocking."

They called on all civilians to be protected, especially those accessing aid.

"The Israeli government must immediately lift all restrictions on the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance," the spokesperson said.

They added that permanent forced displacement of civilians further violates international humanitarian law.

On Mar. 28, 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Office said that since Mar. 18, the Israeli army had issued ten mandatory "evacuation orders" that covered large areas across Gaza.

The MFA reiterated its support for a negotiated two-state solution, while calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Previous remarks

These comments from MFA are Singapore's strongest statement on Israel's actions in Gaza to date.

On May 30, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that "Israel's response had gone too far", and the restrictions on aid in Gaza "may even be a likely breach of international humanitarian law".

In a Facebook post on Jul. 23, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim wrote that Singapore has consistently called for the full and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

"The violence cannot go on," he said.

Top image from the UNRWA's Facebook