Belgium must recall ambassador to Israel, says former defense chief

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - A former Belgium defense minister urged the country's government to recall its ambassador in Israel and summon the Israeli ambassador in Brussels over its continued offensive in the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Friday.

Andre Flahaut called on the Belgian government to undertake measures in relation to Israel's "non-compliance with international law," referring to its continued attacks on the Palestinian enclave despite a UN Security Council resolution on Monday demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Flahaut accused Israeli officials of purposefully flouting the UN decision, which he called "a strong act aimed at putting an end to the genocide committed against the Palestinian people."

He urged Belgium to impose economic and political sanctions on Israel or even to "suspend relations with Tel Aviv."

"No state is above the law. We must neither be complicit nor hostage to the extremism of Netanyahu and his government," he asserted.

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which already began on March 11 and is set to end on April 9.

As many as 14 countries voted in favor of the resolution, presented by 10 elected members of the council, while the US abstained from voting.

The resolution called for an "immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire."

It also demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs."

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas which killed nearly 1,200 people.

Nearly 32,500 Palestinians have since been killed and 74,900 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.