B-FAST, the Belgian aid agency that provides assistance to countries experiencing emergencies, is welcome to come and help with food distribution in Gaza the Israeli ambassador to Belgium Ms Idit Rosenzweig-Abu says. Israel wants to maintain its own control over humanitarian aid in Gaza ‘to prevent Hamas from being able to supply itself’.
Israel invites B-FAST to help with food distribution in Gaza, PM De Wever’s administration: ‘Looking at what role Belgium can play’
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According to Israel, aid distributed through humanitarian organisations in Gaza is being stolen and sold by Hamas, labelled a terrorist organisation by the EU. International aid organisations and the UN deny this. Israel though wants to keep responsibility for distributing humanitarian aid and food in Gaza.
A year ago, B-FAST already staged droppings of humanitarian aid over Gaza, but such droppings are too dangerous, according to the Israeli ambassador.
According to Israel delivering aid over land is much more logical, and safer. To start helping in Gaza, B-FAST would first have to apply for permission from Israel. According to the Israeli ambassador, that has not yet happened. ‘Not through me anyway.’
‘The humanitarian situation is the main concern,’ the office of Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) says. ‘We are considering what role Belgium can play to provide support on the ground in that area.’
Belgium acceded to new Palestinian Authority request
The office of Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist/Les Engagés) earlier clarified that Belgium has already responded to a new request from the Palestinian Authority, through the European Coordination Mechanism, to provide medical equipment.
‘B-FAST is in close contact with the Palestinian Authority to organise that aid. As soon as the shipment is ready, it will be transferred to the region. We count on Israel's cooperation so that this time the material reaches the population without delay,’ the minister’s office said.
Mr Prévot's office also points out that the Israeli government has been blocking humanitarian aid for Gaza by land for months, despite repeated appeals from the international community.
‘While there are signs of a limited resumption, this is far from sufficient. Israel must provide immediate and full access, without obstacles, and safe access for humanitarian workers, so that much-needed aid finally reaches people on the ground’ the foreign minister's office says.