Belgium's rapid emergency response unit B-FAST has offered to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, the Belgian authorities have announced.
In a press release, Belgium's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the proposed aid includes tents, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, as well as "significant" amounts of medical supplies.
The proposal will require the approval of the European Commission's Directorate-General of the European Commission for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
If it is given, the goods will be flown to Egypt and then delivered to Gaza via the Egyptian Red Crescent through the enclave's southern Rafah border crossing.
The B-FAST offer was subsequently confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) by Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.
"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dramatic, especially in hospitals," Lahbib wrote. "Urgent civilian aid is needed now more than ever."
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dramatic, especially in hospitals.
Urgent civilian aid is needed now more than ever. Belgium steps up with #BFAST, delivering humanitarian emergency aid, medical equipment, and medicines.https://t.co/rQocqu4QuJ — Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) November 22, 2023
The proffered aid was announced on the same day that Israel and Hamas, the armed group which controls the Gaza Strip, agreed a four-day ceasefire.
The deal, which was mediated by Qatar, will see 50 Israeli hostages captured by Hamas during its terror attack in Israel on 7 October exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners. 300 trucks carrying aid will also be allowed to enter Gaza daily via the Rafah crossing.
According to Israeli and US officials, the deal will not take effect until Friday at the earliest.
B-FAST's proposal is not the first time it has offered to provide support in crisis areas in recent months. Over the past year it has delivered emergency aid to Italy, Pakistan, and Ukraine.
