Singapore set to impose targeted sanctions, condemns Israel's actions in Palestine

Unlawful denial of humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians completely unacceptable: Vivian

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

Israel's military operations in Gaza have exacerbated the prolonged and desperate suffering of innocent civilians and are unconscionable, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

In a ministerial statement responding to 13 questions by MPs on the conflict, he said that Singapore will impose targeted sanctions on the leaders of radical right-wing settler groups that have been responsible for acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

More details will be announced at a later date. The move follows the Israeli government's recent decision to proceed with the El settlement in the West Bank, which will fragment the West Bank and threaten the contiguity of Arab towns in the occupied Palestinian territories, he said on Sept 22.

Dr Balakrishnan told Parliament that the deliberate and unlawful denial of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza is also completely unacceptable. The Israeli government's excessive actions in Gaza may even be in breach of international humanitarian law, he added.

Calling the humanitarian situation there shocking, he noted that around 1.9 million or 90 per cent of Gazans have been displaced, medical services are overwhelmed, and Gaza is dangerously close to famine levels, which was entirely preventable.

"The scale of civilian death is harrowing. More than 60,000 people have reportedly been killed - a third of them children," said Dr Balakrishnan. "Singapore condemns the killing of innocent civilians."

Singapore has consistently held that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and opposes ongoing attempts to undermine prospects for a two-state solution, he noted.

In the light of the decision by more countries to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state, Dr Balakrishnan was asked if Singapore was also reconsidering its position.