The case of the stranded Belgian-Palestinians in Gaza is a humanitarian tragedy in search of solutions amid official neglect

Alorobiya | Exclusive

Following the October 2023 war, and as part of ongoing Palestinian efforts from abroad, the Palestinian community in Belgium – within the European Union – launched several activities and protests in Belgium. These efforts aimed to address the issue of family reunification and the evacuation of Belgian citizens of Palestinian origin stranded in Gaza. Around 300 activists and supporters joined the cause, participating in field activities including protests and solidarity sit-ins in front of government institutions, with noticeable Belgian participation.

The group has been striving to achieve its goals by organizing weekly protests in front of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding the acceleration of efforts to resolve the crisis of those stranded in Gaza. More than four such protests have already been held. However, their efforts have faced significant obstacles due to official, public, and media negligence. This has led the group to call for broader support in achieving their objectives, which include family reunification, evacuation of Belgian-Palestinians, and the provision of logistical and informational support.

According to statistics, Gaza is undergoing a severe humanitarian crisis. The population has declined by 6% due to the recent Israeli war, now totaling approximately 2.1 million people. Among them are one million children under legal age, making up 47% of the population. Reports indicate that more than 45,500 people have lost their lives due to the bombings, including 17,581 children and 10,048 women. Additionally, around 11,000 people are missing and are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

In an interview, Ahmad Al-Hanawi, a representative of the initiatives, emphasized the importance of activating the evacuation file. He underscored that the case concerns only those who possess official Belgian documents and firmly rejected any plans aiming to displace Palestinians from their occupied lands. He clarified that these demands arise from an emergency humanitarian situation due to the ongoing war and bombardments that threaten the lives of their relatives, some of whom have been injured, detained, or martyred.

Despite these initiatives, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to take a clear official stance regarding the issue. Although several letters and requests have been sent, the responses have been characterized by delays and a lack of practical steps. This official apathy has sparked dissatisfaction among activists, who urge the government to take urgent and effective actions to ease the suffering of those stranded, especially amid continuous bombardment that endangers civilian lives.

This initiative is part of the broader efforts by the Palestinian community in Belgium – European Union to support Palestinians stranded outside Gaza. The goal is to reunite families and evacuate the more than 500 individuals still trapped inside the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war since October 7, 2023. The initiative also serves as an information platform and a space for coordination on efforts to address this humanitarian crisis – a crisis that stands as a testament to the horrors of war and the failures of international protection mechanisms.