Belgian PM says Hamas holding 222 Israelis and all of Gaza hostage

But that is never an excuse for blocking a whole region, for blocking humanitarian aid. It cannot be an excuse to starve a population."

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo on Thursday said that Israel had the right to defend itself and act to prevent any future attacks by Hamas, but that this could not justify any full blockade of Gaza or barring humanitarian convoys.

"Today, Hamas has two types of hostages: 222 hostages from Israel, but they are also taking the population of Gaza as a hostage," de Croo said.

"Israel has a right to take action and to prevent future attacks. But that is never an excuse for blocking a whole region, for blocking humanitarian aid. It cannot be an excuse to starve a population."

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