Belgium’s development cooperation minister on Monday slammed Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his statement about Palestinian civilians, and described what he suggested as a “war crime.”
“Denying humanitarian aid to civilians – children (!) – is a war crime,” Caroline Gennez wrote on X.
She also lashed out at the Israeli government for undermining the chances for a “peaceful solution” and “threatening” both the Palestinian and the Israeli populations’ safety.
Earlier on Sunday, Ben-Gvir called any cease-fire and prisoner swap deal with the Hamas Movement 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.
Israel has launched a devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 92,000 injured, according to local health authorities.
