Belgium under fire for allegedly protecting an Israeli officer linked to Gaza food shortages and healthcare facility assaults
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a tragic incident occurred on 17 June when a single Israeli tank shelling in Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of 59 people and injured 221, according to reports from Gaza's Health Ministry.
The incident has sparked international outrage, leading to calls for accountability. Human rights organisations, along with several political figures including Belgian MPs and international activists, have demanded that the International Criminal Court issue an arrest warrant against Colonel Moshe Tetro. They have also called on the Belgian government to revoke Tetro's diplomatic status and declare him persona non grata.
The controversy surrounding Tetro extends to Belgium's role in the conflict. The Belgian government is under scrutiny for allowing the transfer of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel via Liege Airport. This has led to calls for EU institutions and member states to recommit to international law and end the protection of war criminals.
In response to these concerns, multiple European states, including the Netherlands, have suspended military exports to Israel over humanitarian concerns. The move has been welcomed by more than 230 organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who have called on EU countries to immediately halt arms shipments to Israel.
The conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on civilians. Over 56,000 Palestinians, including more than 15,600 children, have been killed since October 2023, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Tragically, over 500 civilians have been killed while queuing for food at aid distribution points in the past two weeks.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains united in its call for accountability and an end to the violence. The situation in Gaza remains a pressing concern for human rights organisations, political figures, and citizens around the world.
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