21-3-2024 (GAZA) The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has conducted its inaugural airdrop of essential supplies into the embattled Gaza Strip from Jordan. The operation, closely coordinated with Jordanian counterparts, saw a C-130 transport aircraft parachute crates containing food and vital provisions into the besieged Palestinian enclave on Wednesday.
Announcing the successful deployment on social media, the RSAF expressed hope that “these airdrop missions will bring some relief to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.” Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen echoed those sentiments, revealing the airlifted aid package consisted of meal rations, medical equipment and supplies meticulously assembled in consultation with Jordanian partners to address urgent needs on the ground.
The airdrop marks Singapore’s third tranche of civilian assistance to Gaza amid the territory’s deepening crisis. Previously, the city-state donated S$6.1 million collected by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation to the United Nations’ Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA. With land access persistently obstructed for aid convoys, joining an international airdrop coalition has become imperative.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, currently on a Middle East tour accompanied by five Singaporean lawmakers, hailed the provisions as “an expression of Singaporeans’ care, concern and compassion for Palestinians in Gaza.” However, he adopted a sterner tone during meetings with Israeli leaders, including Premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Balakrishnan bluntly conveyed Singapore’s stance that Israeli military actions in Gaza have “gone too far”, demanding an immediate ceasefire to expedite humanitarian access. While denouncing the “clear, flagrant, heinous act of terror” of Hamas’ October 7th attack as unjustifiable provocation, the minister asserted Israel’s response overstepped boundaries.
“Where we have a difference with Israel…is we believe that the Israeli military response has now gone too far,” Balakrishnan stated plainly to reporters in Israel. “I have communicated that both to the prime minister, to the foreign minister, and to the other Israelis whom we have met.”
As diplomatic efforts intensify to broker a tenuous truce, the humanitarian toll continues mounting from the seven-week conflict sparked by Hamas’ strikes against southern Israel. Over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians according to Israeli figures, have resulted alongside some 250 captured hostages.
Gaza’s health ministry claims Israeli retaliation has killed upwards of 31,500 people in the densely-populated Strip, while the Israeli military estimates eliminating at least 13,000 Hamas fighters. With ceasefire negotiations resuming in Qatar’s capital this week, all eyes are on whether sufficient humanitarian provisions can alleviate desperate conditions for civilians tragically caught in the crossfire.
