Singapore’s former President Halimah Yacob has raised the alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza as mass casualties continue to mount.
In a Facebook post on 5 August, Halimah condemned the relentless violence and described the collapse of international law as “a world order where might is right”.
Halimah cited reports that Israeli forces have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children.
“Starvation continues,” she wrote, adding that many Palestinians in the West Bank have also been killed as illegal Israeli settlements expand.
“We are talking about human beings, not just statistics,” she stressed, warning that an expanded Israeli military incursion aimed at total occupation could lead to even more deaths.
“All these are against international law, but this refrain has become like a broken record. International law is broken,” she added.
“When violations are taking place openly and nothing can be done, we are seeing a world order where might is right. Where even voices of reason have no impact.”
Her remarks come in response to reports of growing famine and mass casualties in Gaza.
Hospitals on the Brink
According to a report by The New York Times, seven doctors — four from Gaza and three international volunteers from Australia, Britain, and the United States — described dire conditions after working in four of Gaza’s major hospitals for a week.
Nurses are reportedly fainting from hunger and dehydration, while hospital managers struggle to provide meals for patients and staff.
Baby formula supplies are nearly depleted, forcing some doctors to give water to newborns.
At least three hospitals lack essential nutritional fluids needed to treat malnourished children and adults.
“These babies are too weak to receive full nutrients because it could cause refeeding syndrome, which can kill them,” the doctors explained, noting that even the minimal fluids available are often not enough to save lives.
In response, COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid to Gaza, said it “continues to work in coordination with international actors to allow and facilitate the continued entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, in accordance with international law.”
Trump Rejects Genocide Allegations but Acknowledges Hunger
On 3 August, US President Donald Trump dismissed claims that Israel’s military campaign constitutes genocide, saying the war was sparked by Hamas’ 7 October attack.
“I don’t think it’s that. They’re in a war,” Trump said.
“Some horrible things happened on October 7. It was a horrible, horrible thing. One of the worst I’ve ever seen.”
However, he admitted the extreme hunger crisis in Gaza and pledged that the United States would continue efforts to deliver food aid.
“We want the people fed. We’re the only country that’s really doing that. We’re putting up money to get the people fed,” Trump said.
He cited the involvement of Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, and Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who recently assessed conditions in Gaza.
Trump added that Washington is making “pretty big contributions” to purchase food.
“We don’t want people going hungry, and we don’t want people to starve,” he said.
Humanitarian Toll Mounts
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that at least six people died of starvation over the weekend, bringing the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to 175 since the war began, including 93 children.
The World Health Organization confirmed 63 such deaths in July alone, including 25 children, nearly all under five years old.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied allegations of widespread starvation, accusing Hamas of diverting aid.
“What a bold-faced lie. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza,” Netanyahu said during an event in Jerusalem on 27 July.
According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israel-backed initiative launched in late May, more than 106 million meals have been delivered so far.
GHF replaced the UN-led aid system after Israel accused the UN of allowing Hamas to seize supplies.
However, UN agencies and relief organisations condemned the move, warning it undermines humanitarian neutrality and exposes civilians to greater risks.
UN estimates indicate that nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points since late May, including more than 800 near GHF-run sites secured by American contractors and Israeli forces, and another 514 along convoy routes.
The Israel Defense Forces admitted firing near crowds at aid sites but disputed the UN’s casualty figures without offering alternatives.
The conflict, which escalated on 7 October 2023, has killed nearly 61,000 Palestinians — including at least 18,430 children — and injured more than 150,000, according to Gaza health authorities.
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