Bombing schools, hospitals violation of international humanitarian law, says Belgian minister for development cooperation

By Nur Asena Erturk

Bombing schools and hospitals is a violation of international humanitarian law, Belgium's minister for development cooperation said Tuesday.

"The most important issue on the agenda is of course the dire humanitarian situation for the people in Gaza today. We do need more humanitarian aid and that implies for more humanitarian access," Caroline Gennez said before a European Union's Foreign Affairs Council meeting on development.

She stressed that humanitarian access is very important, and "strongly asked and urged Israel to open up for humanitarian access from Erez and from Kerem Shalom."

"Denying people food, water, medical supplies, is a violation of international humanitarian law. Bombing schools, hospitals, innocent civilians, and aid workers is a violation of international humanitarian law," she said.

Gennez noted that her country already pledged an extra €4 million ($4.4 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA and to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"And now we offer the supply of medical of medical devices for €1 million extra," she added.