Belgium is looking into additional evacuations from Gaza
The Belgian government is examining whether to evacuate additional people from the Gaza Strip, the office of Foreign minister Maxime Prévot said on Friday, responding to an appeal from the federal migration centre Myria.
Since the start of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, Belgium has evacuated around 1,000 people. Evacuations are limited to Belgians of Palestinian origin and Palestinians with a right of residence in Belgium, for example through family reunification or on humanitarian grounds. Several sick or injured Palestinian children, along with accompanying relatives, have also been evacuated.
However, since April the evacuation list has been provisionally closed, meaning no new beneficiaries can be added. Myria criticised the situation on Friday, saying it has received numerous reports concerning people in Gaza who may be entitled to stay in Belgium. "There is a vacuum, no information, and no assistance," the centre said.
No decision yet
According to Prévot’s office, no decision has yet been taken on expanding the list for those entitled to evacuation. "A detailed analysis of the best options is under way, taking into account developments on the ground, to arrive at the most efficient, just and quick solution," it said.
Evacuations from Gaza are highly complex, requiring the consent of several foreign authorities and significant coordination between different government departments, Prévot's office added. And given the difficulties encountered during previous evacuation operations, the government chose to prioritise those already on the existing list before taking further decisions.
"We are aware that many others wish to be evacuated, but we do not want to make promises to people in such an emergency situation if we are not certain we can fulfil them," the cabinet said.
PHOTO © Eyad BABA / AFP
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