By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) – Belgium on Friday summoned the Israeli ambassador in the country over Israeli forces’ bombing of the Belgian Development Agency in the Gaza Strip.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, to the Foreign Affairs Cabinet. The meeting took place in the presence of the Minister of Development Cooperation, Caroline Gennez,” said the Belgian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
“On behalf of Belgium, the ministers strongly condemned the bombing and destruction of the offices of Enabel, the Belgian development agency, in Gaza,” it added.
Stressing that the destruction of civilian infrastructure is absolutely unacceptable and violates international law, the ministry said: "The violence must stop. Belgium calls for an immediate ceasefire by all parties, permanent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages."
The ministry also repeated the call for resumption of the peace process and political negotiations that could lead to a two-state solution.
“Belgium will put the issue of compensation for the damaged infrastructure of projects financed by the EU and its Member States back on the agenda of a subsequent European consultation,” it also warned.
Since Israel began its campaign against Gaza nearly four months ago, dozens of countries and international humanitarian groups have decried the bombing of hospitals, civilian housing, and houses of worship – all places off limits to attacks under the rules of war.
Israel has killed more than 27,000 people in the Gaza Strip in response to the Oct. 7 cross-border offensive by Hamas, which took the lives of 1,200 people and took 240 as hostages.
The military onslaught has caused mass displacement and destruction and created conditions ripe for famine.