75 people, including Belgian nationals, were evacuated from the Gaza Strip on Monday morning. They arrived at Ostend-Bruges Airport at around 4.30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. The Belgian foreign ministry explains the evacuation happened in the context of family reunification procedures.
Further 75 people repatriated from Gaza for reunification with families in Belgium
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘The evacuation of as many people as possible from Gaza, despite the enormous difficulties on the ground, is one of the main priorities of the Belgian foreign ministry,’ a spokesperson noted.
Approximately 850 evacuations
In October 2023, the previous federal government decided that only Belgian nationals and recognised refugees, together with their immediate relatives (spouse or legal partner, children under the age of 18 and dependent adult children) who are in possession of a valid Belgian visa or residence permit, are eligible for evacuation from Gaza.
The Belgian foreign ministry says that a total of around 850 people who fall into this category have already been evacuated from the Gaza Strip. Approximately 150 people are still on the list to be evacuated.
‘The foreign ministry and diplomatic posts in Jerusalem (Israel) and Amman(Jordan) are working tirelessly to make these evacuations possible, often under difficult circumstances,’ the ministry says.
No information is being provided about possible new evacuations.