Halimah Yacob raises alarm on Palestinian crisis, citing UN concerns on impunity

SINGAPORE: Former Singapore President Halimah Yacob expressed concerns over the ongoing assault in Palestine in a Facebook post on Sunday (29 Sept). She referenced a speech by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN General Assembly on 24 September, where he condemned global impunity and warned of escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Quoting Guterres, she reiterated his remark that "the level of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally intolerable." Mdm Halimah highlighted the worsening situation in Gaza, noting the devastating toll on civilians, particularly children. She cited the loss of over 41,000 Palestinians, including 14,000 children, and emphasised that more lives are being lost daily due to starvation, untreated injuries, and disease. Mdm Halimah further underscored the destruction of vital infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and mosques, while nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced. Concluding her post, Mdm Halimah criticised the failure of international humanitarian law, stating, "International humanitarian law is meant to uphold humanity, but it’s obviously failed."

UN report highlights humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing conflict

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report on Friday (27 Sept), detailing the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israeli bombardments continue. The air and land strikes have resulted in further civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. In September alone, at least 11 schools sheltering displaced people have been hit, with nearly 100 fatalities reported. Displaced residents are enduring harsh conditions in overcrowded tents and damaged buildings, with limited access to food, water, and basic necessities, according to recent UN assessments in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. Nearly 90 per cent of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza in September have been blocked or delayed. On 23 September, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) called for an end to the violence in Gaza, stating that more than 2 million Palestinians are without essential services, including food, water, shelter, and healthcare. The IASC also highlighted the severe impact on women and girls, as well as the ongoing risk of famine. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 41,500 Palestinians, including 16,500 children, have been killed, with more than 96,000 injured and over 10,000 reported missing since the conflict began.

Guterres condemns global impunity, warns of escalation in Gaza and Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (24 Sept), condemned the increasing disregard for international law by governments and groups across the world. He criticised those who believe they are "entitled to a get out of jail free card." Guterres highlighted the alarming trend of governments acting with impunity, stating that they "can trample international law" and "invade another country, lay waste to whole societies, or utterly disregard the welfare of their own people." He described this as "politically indefensible and morally intolerable." With the nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza threatening to spread into Lebanon—where Israel targeted over 1,000 Hezbollah sites—Guterres issued a strong warning. He stated that "Lebanon is at the brink" and stressed that the country must not "become another Gaza," highlighting the severe risks for regional and global stability. Guterres further emphasised the unprecedented level of destruction in Gaza, noting that the speed and scale of the violence are unlike anything he has witnessed during his time as Secretary-General. The Secretary-General called for immediate international mobilisation to secure a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and the initiation of an irreversible process toward a two-state solution. He warned that actions undermining this goal, such as expanding settlements and land grabs, are unsustainable, questioning what alternative exists if the world allows a one-state reality where a significant Palestinian population is denied freedom, rights, and dignity.