By Nur Asena Erturk
Belgium renewed its appeal for a cease-fire in the Middle East on Monday, marking the one-year anniversary of the ongoing conflict.
"Belgium is mobilizing every day for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and peace negotiations leading to a two-state solution," said Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on X.
Reflecting on the past year, Lahbib noted that "tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives" and emphasized the necessity of respecting international and humanitarian law in the region.
The conflict escalated after an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, prompting the Israeli army to launch an offensive on Gaza. The attacks have led to the deaths of nearly 42,000 people, primarily women and children, with approximately 97,100 others injured.
The impact of the offensive has been profound, with nearly the entire population of Gaza displaced under a blockade that has severely restricted access to food, clean water, and medical supplies. The UN estimates that debris from destroyed buildings in the area exceeds 42 million tons.
South Africa has since taken legal action, filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing the country of genocide in Gaza. Several nations, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined the case.
As international concern over Gaza intensifies, recognition of the Palestinian state and support for its full membership in the United Nations has grown. In recent months, Spain, Norway, and Ireland have officially recognized the Palestinian state, with Slovenia and Armenia following suit. To date, 149 of the UN's 193 member states recognize Palestine.
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire and facilitate a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, have stalled over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to halt the ongoing offensive.