Johannesburg,South Africa

The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Israeli ambassador to an urgent meeting follows the bombing and destruction of a Belgian development agency Enabel offices in Gaza.

The Israeli Ambassador to Belgium,Idit Rosenzweig-Abu responded to summons and attended that urgent meeting which was called by the Foreign Affairs Cabinet.

On behalf of Belgian government,the meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,Hadja Lahbib and also was attended by Minister of Development Cooperation,Caroline Gennez.

It appeared that during that meeting both ministers condemned the bombing and destruction of the offices of Enabel,the Belgian development agency,in Gaza.

"The offices were located in a six-story tower in Gaza City,in the northern Gaza-Strip.According to the information we have,no Enabel employees were present in the office building at the time of the bombing,"said the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation statement.

The Ministers has lambasted the Israeli government actions in Gaza when it comes on destruction of infrastructure because that is against to the international law.

Both ministers emphasized the importance of stopping violence,also calls an immediate ceasefire,stop blocking humanitarian aid and the release of hostages and an initiation of peace process.

"The destruction of civilian infrastructure is absolutely unacceptable and does not comply with international law.Since the first day of the conflict,Belgium has called on all parties to respect international law.

The violence must stop.Belgium calls for an immediate ceasefire by all parties,permanent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.Belgium also calls for the resumption of the peace process and political negotiations that could lead to a two-state solution,the only way out of this conflict,"said Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the employees of Enabel were evacuated before the bombing of the building happened and also maintained would seek compensation for the destruction of the infrastructure.

"Finally,two weeks ago,the Belgian government decided to evacuate Enabel staff and their immediate family members.We very much hope that these people - including many children - will be able to leave Gaza quickly and unharmed.

Belgium will put the issue of compensation for the damaged infrastructure of projects financed by the EU and its Member States back on the agenda of a subsequent European consultation,"concludes statement.

Human crisis deepens in Gaza as foreign donors suspend funding for UNRWA

The humanitarian situation is continuing to be dire in Gaza as the number of donor countries which expressed their intentions to stop funding UNRWA increases as now stand at 16 from 1 February 2024.

The suspension of financial aid support for UNRWA will severely affect over 2 million people in Gaza which depends on humanitarian aid for survival.

UNRWA is the only hope for Palestinians who are cramped in southern Rafah who fled from the northern Gaza.

Israel's Western allies decision to suspend funding for UNRWA without allowing independent investigation finish its work its proves that these countries support unconditional the senseless killings of innocent Palestinians by Israeli government forces since October last year.

The Belgian government official through Facebook page has promised to continue to support UNRWA's good work is doing in Gaza up until the facts are unearthed,Belgium is going against other Western countries immature decisions to suspend funding based on one-sided allegations.

Hadja Lahbib said recent revelations about UNRWA are serious and disturbing.Investigation must be conducted properly.All clarity must be made.Belgium will continue its support to suffering Palestinian civilians,ensuring humanitarian aid reaches them.Recent revelations about UNRWA are serious and worrying.The investigation must be done thoroughly.All facts need to be revealed.Belgium will continue to help the Palestinian citizens and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches them.

Israeli army has murdered close to 27,000 civilians in Gaza and the majority of those massacred are women and children.