Belgium (Brussels Morning) – joins humanitarian efforts and aids Gaza via a maritime corridor. Prime Minister De Croo emphasizes the importance of land access for aid.
During an event in Doha, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo conveyed that Belgium will be involved in a special project. This project is all about helping people who need it most. Specifically, Belgium will be part of a special pathway at sea. This pathway connects Cyprus, an island, to Gaza, a place where many people face tough challenges. By being part of this pathway, Belgium wants to show that it cares about helping others. It’s a way to give support and assistance to those who may not have enough help already.
“We are in the procedure of examining our capabilities and how we can experience. We are going to participate,” confirmed De Croo, at the end of the second leg, in Qatar, of a visit that will also take him to Jordan on Saturday, before Egypt on Sunday.
When the leader of Belgium’s government visits Cairo, they will talk with the president of Cyprus, Níkos Christodoulídis. They’ll have this discussion while attending an event that celebrates a special partnership between the European Union and Egypt. This meeting will happen alongside the main event, sort of like having a conversation while attending a big party.
During this chat, they’ll likely talk about the plan for the operation they’re both involved in. It’s a chance for them to exchange ideas and make sure everyone is on the same page.
On Monday, B-FAST, a fast-acting Belgian humanitarian team, will join other countries in a meeting. This meeting is all about the special pathway they’re part of. This pathway starts from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus. It’s a place where ships carrying important goods or aid can start their journey. Already, the first ship has travelled through this route successfully.
Now, another ship is prepared and waiting to set sail. During the meeting, B-FAST and the other countries will likely discuss how things are going and any plans for the future. It’s important for everyone involved to work together smoothly to make sure this pathway continues to help people in need.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited the Zarqa base in Jordan. There, he met with the Belgian military team. This team had just finished a mission to help people in Gaza. They dropped a total of 164 tonnes of emergency food supplies in Gaza over the past few days. Now, their time for duty is coming to an end, and they are getting ready to leave. The Prime Minister likely thanked them for their hard work and dedication in providing much-needed aid to those in need.
The De Croo cabinet has mentioned that another part of the operation will begin soon. This part involves providing medical kits, although the exact timing hasn’t been decided yet. This means that after the emergency food aid, there will be more help on the way for the people in Gaza.
Belgium’s involvement in this maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza is not just about the airdrops of food. It’s a broader effort to provide assistance in different forms. By participating in both the airdrops and the maritime corridor, Belgium is showing its commitment to helping those in need in Gaza.
The Prime Minister emphasized that while they are proud of the aid efforts, they acknowledge it’s not the ultimate solution. They stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian access to land. The Prime Minister urged Israel to urgently demonstrate that it is not using starvation as a tactic of warfare. This statement highlights the Prime Minister’s belief that while providing aid is crucial, long-term solutions require broader access to humanitarian assistance beyond just deliveries by air or sea.
