jfid – The Gaza Strip, an area located between Israel and Egypt, has been a silent witness to the prolonged bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
Since the war erupted on October 7, 2024, more than 30,000 people have died and 70,000 others were injured, while infrastructure and public facilities have been devastated.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is also very concerning, with shortages of food, water, electricity, and medicine threatening the lives of millions of residents.
To alleviate the suffering of the Gazan people, several countries have sent humanitarian aid by air, using military transport aircraft equipped with parachutes.
One of the countries participating in this aerial aid operation is Belgium, which on Monday (3/4/2024) sent its first Airbus A400M aircraft carrying food and sanitary products.
However, before being able to drop aid in Gaza, the Belgian aircraft had to go through several difficult procedures and challenges. This article will further discuss the background, process, and impact of the aerial aid operation conducted by Belgium for Gaza.
Background
Belgium is a European Union member country that has good relations with Palestine. Belgium has recognized Palestine as a state since 2015 and supports a two-state solution to resolve the conflict with Israel.
Belgium is also a major donor to Palestine, providing €25 million annually to fund various development, education, health, and human rights protection projects.
When the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2024, Belgium immediately condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire. Belgium also took concrete steps to help the people of Gaza trapped in the crisis situation.
On February 25, 2024, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced that Belgium would send a Rapid Response Team (B-FAST) consisting of military and civilian personnel, as well as humanitarian aid in the form of food and sanitary products, via A400M military transport aircraft.
Process
Although having good intentions to help Gaza, Belgium could not immediately drop aid from the air without permission from Israel, which controls the airspace over Gaza.
Therefore, Belgium had to work with Jordan, a neighboring country of Israel that has good diplomatic relations with both sides.
Jordan itself has carried out at least 16 airdrops of aid to Gaza since the war began, one of them using French military aircraft.
The process of Belgium’s airdrop of aid took place as follows:
The first A400M aircraft departed from Melsbroek air base outside Brussels on Monday (3/4/2024), carrying 15 tons of aid and 12 B-FAST personnel. The aircraft flew to Zarqa air base in Jordan, about 3,000 kilometers from Belgium.
In Zarqa, Belgian aid and personnel joined an international humanitarian team led by Jordan, called the “humanitarian coalition for Palestine”.
There, Belgian aid was inspected by Jordanian officials to ensure no prohibited items by Israel, such as weapons, explosives, or chemicals.
Belgian personnel also received briefings on the procedures and protocols to be followed when dropping aid in Gaza.
After getting the green light from Israel, the Belgian A400M prepared to drop aid in Gaza.
The aircraft had to fly at a low altitude of about 500 feet to avoid missile attacks from Hamas.
It also had to coordinate with Israeli civil and military authorities, as well as the UN, to ensure no military or civilian activities interfered with the aid operation.
The aircraft also had to follow the flight path determined by Israel and could not deviate from that path.
Upon arriving over Gaza, the Belgian A400M dropped aid from the air using parachutes designed to land gently and accurately at the targeted location.
The dropped aid consisted of pallets containing food, water, blankets, tents, medicine, and sanitary products.
The aid was intended to help around 10,000 people living in refugee camps or areas affected by the war.
After dropping the aid, the Belgian A400M returned to Zarqa to pick up more aid and personnel.
Belgium’s airdrop process lasted several days, with multiple round-trip flights between Zarqa and Gaza. Belgium planned to deliver a total of 45 tons of aid and 36 B-FAST personnel to Gaza, using its two A400M aircraft.
Impact
The aerial aid operation conducted by Belgium for Gaza had a positive impact, both humanitarian and diplomatic. Humanitarianly, the aid dropped by Belgium could help meet the basic and urgent needs of the people of Gaza, who are experiencing a crisis due to the war.
This aid also demonstrated solidarity and support from the international community for Palestine, who feel isolated and oppressed by Israel.
The aid could also encourage peacemaking and reconciliation efforts between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing humanitarian values that must be respected by all parties.
Diplomatically, the aerial aid dropped by Belgium could enhance Belgium’s image and reputation as a country that cares about and is responsible for global issues, especially in the Middle East.
The aid also strengthened Belgium’s relations with Jordan, a strategic partner and important ally in the region.
The aid also demonstrated Belgium’s critical and independent stance towards Israel, which often receives support from Western countries, especially the United States.
The aid could also put pressure on Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza and be willing to engage in dialogue with Palestine to seek a peaceful solution.
Belgium, as a member of the European Union and the UN Security Council, could leverage its position to mediate dialogue between Israel and Palestine and push for the implementation of UN resolutions calling for an end to hostilities and respect for human rights.
Belgium’s aerial aid operation for Gaza is a concrete example of humanitarian diplomacy, combining the principles of humanitarianism, justice, and peace into concrete action.
Despite facing great challenges and risks, Belgium remains committed to helping the people of Gaza and seeking a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict. Hopefully, this effort can inspire other countries to do the same and bring positive change to the world.
In closing, let us remember the wise words of Albert Einstein:
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”
