The Netherlands and Belgium were conspicuously absent on Thursday during a statement in Jerusalem by eighteen countries for the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. The initiative, which was taken by the United States in Jerusalem, is there to show humanity towards the hostages and their loved ones. These countries also support Israel, which has been doing everything for months to get the kidnapped back.
The US, along with leaders from seventeen countries whose citizens are also being held hostage in Gaza, released a joint statement on Thursday for the first time during the conflict. It calls on Hamas to release the remaining 130 hostages. They have been stuck in the Gaza Strip since the pogrom of October 7 last year. No one really knows where in the area they are.
“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and Gaza for more than 200 days. This includes our citizens,” the statement said. “The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected by international law, is of international concern.” In addition to many Israelis, foreigners were detained on October 7. They are also waiting for their release.
The version of the joint statement released Thursday was a work in progress over the past two weeks, the official said. The Netherlands and Belgium were reportedly approached, but did not join the countries because they currently have no civilians held hostage in Gaza. The statement was signed by representatives from America, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom, among others.
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