Embassy of Belgium in the United States of America’s Post

My op-ed in The Independent on the #urgent need to end the #war in #gaza, free all the #hostages, get all the #humanitarian #aid necessary by opening all #land #crossings. Clarity on the #exit #strategy is necessary in order to secure not only the safety of #Palestinians and #Israelis, but of the entire #MiddleEast and beyond. We are at a #tippingpoint. #israelhamaswar #gaza #humanitarianaid #humanityfirst #endthewar #hostages #tippingpoint

As Ramadan begins, global leaders unite in recognizing its significance and call for a ceasefire in Gaza. US President Joe Biden promises international efforts for humanitarian aid, committing to a six-week ceasefire. UN Secretary-General António Guterres passionately appeals for peace in Gaza, urging a cessation of violence and swift humanitarian aid delivery. He highlights the severe crisis, deploring insufficient relief and the threat of further escalation. Guterres extends the call for a Ramadan ceasefire in Sudan, emphasizing the need for global unity in promoting peace. Biden pledges continuous efforts for a sustained ceasefire and a two-state solution, acknowledging the suffering of Palestinians during Ramadan. #RamadanPeace #CeasefireCall #GazaCrisis #HumanitarianAid #GlobalUnity #UNSecretaryGeneral #JoeBiden #SudanCeasefire #TwoStateSolution #PeacefulRamadan #BidenInAction #GuterresForPeace #sparkpakistan

*Hostage Negotiations - Status Report:* Negotiations for the remaining hostages are advancing rapidly. * One of the most recent proposals offered by Israel would see between 20 and 30 prisoners released by Israel for every hostage. This is among the lowest numbers that have yet been offered by Hamas. * Israel has shown significant readiness for concessions, including extensive increases to humanitarian aid deliveries, the return of Gazans to northern Gaza with no restrictions, and even withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. * Multiple international bodies have been pressuring both sides to reach an agreement rather than continue the war. * The rumors of withdrawal from Gaza have triggered significant public outcry from the Israeli public, who demand that their government continue the war. *𝗜𝗦𝗥𝗔𝗘𝗟 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦*

When the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Israeli government must immediately enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid to preserve Palestinian lives in Gaza, the U.S. government suspended funding along with other nations, gutting #UNRWA’s ability to provide aid. We are already seeing catastrophic consequences for Palestinians struggling to survive the Israeli government’s genocide. The Israeli government’s apartheid policies have ensured Palestinian dependence on UNRWA—the only UN entity dedicated to Palestine. The Israeli military has killed over 29,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Millions of Palestinians are facing acute hunger after the Israeli military destroyed their livelihoods, while hundreds of thousands are starving. Their deaths and suffering are entirely preventable. The Biden administration’s decision to cut funding to UNRWA, especially as its largest donor, is yet another deliberate act to aid the Israeli government’s systematic killing of Palestinians in Gaza. We demand a permanent ceasefire and the reinstatement of UNRWA funding. We demand that full access to humanitarian aid be restored. Email your Congresspeople now to demand that the Biden administration immediately reinstate life-saving funding for UNRWA. jvpaction.org/fundUNRWA I ❤️ jewish voice for #Peace #Peacenow

[Protect Humanitarians] ⛑️ Humanitarians are #NotATarget and must be protected. So far, nearly 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in #Gaza alone. Attacking people involved in humanitarian aid may amount to a war crime. 🗣This call to action is at the heart of the creation of ⛑️ Protect Humanitarians, an initiative which advocates for better protection of aid workers globally and offers concrete support to local humanitarian survivors of attacks. 🌍 Follow us and spread the word 👉bit.ly/ProtectH #ProtectHumanitarians 🕊 Humanity must prevail. #NotATarget ❌ #ProtectHumanitarians #ProtectAidWorkers #ProtectCivilians #GenevaConventions #ConventionsDeGeneve #ChooseHumanity #EmpoweringHumanitarians #Warfare #IHL #NotCollateralDamage #TogetherForRescue #LeaveNoOneBehind #BringJustice #EndImpunityNow #JusticeMatters #AccessToJustice #MoreJustWorld

The Rafah border crossing gains its significance on the world stage from being the only gateway into and out of the Gaza Strip for both its citizens and the delivery of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid. This paper presents future scenarios for the management of the crossing, which could be an issue with the arrangements for the day after the war or what may be proposed for implementation beforehand that will serve as a prelude to the future management structure of the Gaza Strip. #ستراتيجيكس #STRATEGIECS https://bit.ly/4dQiM6r

He is right: Mahmoud Abbas denounced Israel for waging a “full-scale war of genocide” in Gaza and in Lebanon - and demanded that it must stop. He laid out a 12-point plan for "the day after". And he reminds us: “This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people.” He is RIGHT. See his plan - what do you agree/disagree with? #ChooseHumanity. Please share 1: Permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to attacks in the West Bank 2: Humanitarian aid be delivered en masse throughout Gaza 3: Israel must fully withdraw from Gaza 4: UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, must be protected and allowed to continue operating 5: “international protection for the Palestinians on their occupied land,” saying, “We are not fighting Israel. We cannot fight Israel, and we don’t want to fight, but we want protection.” 6: Palestinian government must have jurisdiction over the entirety of the Gaza Strip 7: PA will continue its efforts to engage in a “comprehensive national reform process.” 8: The Palestinian government will be the sole representative body for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and will have authority over all of those territories. 9: Ninth, the Palestinians will continue in their bid to obtain full-member status at the UN. 10: The UN General Assembly resolution ordering an Israeli withdrawal from Palestine must be fully implemented 11: An international peace conference must be held within a year to implement the two-state vision. 12: International peacekeeping forces must be established to protect the people of both countries. Read: https://lnkd.in/eTpunF4t