BRUSSELS: Belgium’s minister for development cooperation on Monday criticised the statement of Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about Palestinian civilians, and termed it a “war crime.”
“Denying humanitarian aid to civilians – children (!) – is a war crime,” Caroline Gennez wrote on X.
She also slammed the Israeli government for undermining the chances for a “peaceful solution” to the Gaza conflict and “threatening” the safety of both the Palestinians and the Israeli populations.
Earlier on Sunday, Ben-Gvir called any ceasefire and prisoner swap deal with Hamas a “grave mistake.”
“If we cut off their fuel, within a week they would be on their knees. And if we stop the (aid) trucks, within two weeks they would be on their knees. So why are we going to do a deal, especially such an irresponsible deal?” he said.
For months, Egypt, Qatar, and the US have led indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, but no agreement has been reached because of Israel’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands to end the war, withdraw troops from Gaza, and allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.
According to Gaza health authorities nearly 39,800 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, mostly women and children, and over 92,000 wounded.
The International Court of Justice also accused Israel of genocide which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had taken refuge from the war.
