Belgium successfully airdropped humanitarian aid into Gaza as the situation on the ground for civilians remains critical, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.
Belgian military forces successfully carried out the first flight that is part of a major airdrop operation, coordinated by Jordan, to provide emergency material assistance to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
"The first Belgian operation to drop humanitarian aid into Gaza has just taken place. Thank you to our diplomatic posts, B-FAST and Belgian Ministry of Defence staff," Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said, before adding that "the suffering of civilians on the ground is unbearable."
The flight also dropped some of the food rations procured through B-FAST to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian population in Gaza. The operation was carried out in close cooperation with European and international partners.
Belgian authorities were initially hoping to complete the aid delivery by Wednesday, after setting off from Melsbroek military airport on Monday at around 13:30.
Credit: Belgian Ministry of Defence
Through B-FAST, Belgium will remain on the ground in the coming days to participate in subsequent airdrop operations led by Jordan.
In a joint statement, Belgium reiterated its call for unhindered humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
"With EU and like-minded countries Belgium reached out to Israeli authorities to convey our grave concern regarding the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza," the Belgian Embassy in Israel said. "We urge Israel to facilitate more aid into Gaza." It also called on Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages.
Israel has been accused of impeding entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which would be a breach of the International Court of Justice ruling, which ordered them to implement "immediate and effective measures" to protect Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from the risk of genocide by ensuring sufficient humanitarian assistance and enabling basic services.
B-FAST humanitarian aid mission to Gaza. Credit: Belgian Ministry of Defence
The EU is also stepping up its efforts in the delivery of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. The Commission has now contracted €81 million out of the overall humanitarian aid allocation of €125 million, and has, to date, organised 41 air bridge flights to deliver over 1,800 tonnes of aid to Palestinians via Egypt.
"After five months of war and destruction, the humanitarian system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.” said European Commissioner Janez Lenarčič. "While in Israel, including at Kerem Shalom border crossing, I reiterated the urgency to swiftly ensure a massive surge of aid into Gaza, while mobilising all possible ways."
The European Commission is also exploring further means of delivering lifesaving supplies, including through an EU maritime corridor and more air drops in collaboration with humanitarian partners.
B-FAST humanitarian aid mission to Gaza. Credit: Belgian Ministry of Defence
"The EU will continue to do all in its power to alleviate this suffering, save lives and free the remaining 130 hostages. But to do this, fighting must stop immediately, and a massive surge of humanitarian aid into and across Gaza must be enabled as a priority," Lenarčič said.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell also echoed the sense of urgency over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"All those concerned about the situation in Gaza should put pressure on the Israeli government to grant unimpeded humanitarian land access and not blocking convoys," Borrell said. "Other options are not enough. Airdrops are good but insufficient, sea corridors needed but take time. And time is of the essence."
