Jordan Daily – Four Palestinian children in urgent need of cancer treatment were evacuated from Gaza to Belgium on Monday. The children, previously in Egypt, were transported to Belgium’s Melsbroek military airport for medical care facilitated by the country’s B-Fast emergency relief agency.
The operation was confirmed by outgoing ministers Hadja Lahbib (Foreign Affairs), Caroline Gennez (Development Cooperation), and State Secretary Nicole de Moor (Asylum and Migration) to the Belga News Agency. Belgium’s offer of aid, extended several weeks ago, remains open for further assistance, as discussed during the announcement.
The request for assistance originated from Egypt and was directed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The children’s flight from Egypt to Melsbroek was managed by Slovakia.
To support this operation, B-Fast dispatched two representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, development, and health to coordinate with healthcare services and local authorities.
Government officials underscored the critical need for such humanitarian efforts in Gaza. “With this medical evacuation, we show our solidarity with all innocent child victims… Europe should, and can, do more to end Gaza’s suffering,” said outgoing Development Minister Gennez.
“Surviving in Gaza is a daily challenge, especially for those suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer… Our country remains fully committed at the diplomatic and practical level to providing aid and saving as many lives as possible,” added Foreign Minister Lahbib.
