Belgian PM: attacks on innocent Gazan civilians are disproportional

It is never acceptable that so many civilian casualties are caused trying to eliminate one person." "Civilians and civilian places must be protected, but of course Hamas cannot use them as a shelter either because that only complicates matters." He also said both Israel and Hamas disregard international humanitarian law on a daily basis. He added that Hamas should also release as soon as possible innocent hostages, saying it could be an important part of halting the "spiral of violence".

Israel's attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza are disproportionate, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told reporters on Monday after meeting Jordan's King Abdullah in Brussels. "Bombing down a refugee camp because it allegedly houses one Hamas leader is completely disproportionate. It is never acceptable that so many civilian casualties are caused trying to eliminate one person."

"Civilians and civilian places must be protected, but of course Hamas cannot use them as a shelter either because that only complicates matters." He also said both Israel and Hamas disregard international humanitarian law on a daily basis.

He added that Hamas should also release as soon as possible innocent hostages, saying it could be an important part of halting the "spiral of violence". Belgium is one of the countries calling for a humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza, which began a month ago with an attack by Hamas fighters who rampaged through Israeli towns killing civilians, and has been followed by an Israeli siege and assault on the enclave.