An employee of the Belgian agency Enabel and four family members were killed in a rocket attack in Gaza on Thursday. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo places the responsibility on the Israeli government.
Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) announced on Thursday that an employee of the Belgian development cooperation agency Enabel has died in Gaza. “It is with deep sadness and horror that we learn of the death of our colleague Abdallah Nabhan (33) and his seven-year-old son last night in an Israeli army bombardment in the eastern part of the city of Rafah.”
I summon the Ambassador of Israel to condemn this unacceptable act.
Hadja Lahbib (MR)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nabhan’s wife is said to be in a critical condition in hospital. The couple’s other two children (who are five years and seven months) suffered minor injuries. Nabhan’s father (65), brother (35) and niece (6) were also killed.
Both Gennez and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib (MR) as well as Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) point out Israel’s responsibility. ‘The government already asked four months ago that all Belgian aid workers and rights holders could leave Gaza. People have been refusing to grant permission for four months,” De Croo said in Parliament. ‘Innocent people and children are killed every day. Dear Israeli government, this must stop, now.’
Gennez recalled that “bombing civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians is against international, humanitarian and war law.” Lahbib (MR) summons the Israeli ambassador. “I summon Israel’s ambassador to condemn this unacceptable act and demand an explanation.”
Offices destroyed
Seven Enabel employees are still stuck in Gaza. Gennez and Enabel demand that they immediately receive permission from Israel to leave the region. Nabhan was on the list of people eligible to leave Gaza. That list was provided to the Israeli authorities months ago.
Jean Van Wetter, Enabel’s general manager, reacts with shock. “This is yet another blatant violation by Israel of international humanitarian law. As director of a Belgian agency and as a former humanitarian worker, I cannot accept that this has continued with impunity for so long.’
In early February, Enabel’s offices in Gaza City were bombed and destroyed by the Israeli army. Belgium then summoned the Israeli ambassador and strongly condemned the attack.
