Belgium’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Maxime Prevost, has described the situation in Gaza as a “major humanitarian disaster.”
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Prevost said: “Even if I cannot, or even if I have the authority to, describe what is happening as genocide, it is the international community that must describe this situation as genocide or not.”
He added: “I have made it clear that I do not see what more we should see than this humanitarian blockade, in addition to the forced displacement of the people, the violation of international law, and the desire to wipe out the Gaza Strip.”
Prevost sharply criticised Israeli officials, saying some of their statements dehumanised Palestinians: “This begs the question: What should we do in the face of this catastrophe? The most pressing issue now remains the humanitarian issue.”
He confirmed that Belgium has decided to “raise its voice and escalate its tone” over Israel’s conduct, which he said violates international law and “could amount to war crimes according to the International Criminal Court”.
Belgium is now exploring the possibility of establishing an air bridge to deliver humanitarian aid, as it has done in past crises.
“There are hundreds of trucks waiting at the border every day to reach these hungry people,” he said. “What is happening is truly a scandal.”
