Belgian agency aid worker dies in Gaza, Belgium summons Israeli ambassador - report

The Belgian government's statement said at least seven people were killed by the strike on a building that housed about 25 people.

 IDF operating in the Gaza Strip on April 11, 2024 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
IDF operating in the Gaza Strip on April 11, 2024
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

An aid worker who was part of Belgium's development aid efforts in the Gaza Strip died in an Israeli strike, the Belgian government said on Thursday, adding it was summoning the Israeli ambassador over the incident.

Belgium's Development Minister Caroline Gennez said in a statement that 33-year-old Abdallah Nabhan and his seven-year-old son died after a bombardment by the Israeli army in the eastern part of the southern city of Rafah.

Nabhan, whose nationality was not disclosed, worked for the Belgian Enabel agency, assisting small businesses.

"I will summon the Israeli ambassador to condemn this unacceptable act & demand an explanation," said Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib in a post on social media platform X.

Seven killed in the strike - statement

According to the government in Brussels, at least seven people were killed by the strike on a building that housed about 25 people, including displaced people from other parts of the Gaza Strip.

 IDF soldiers operating in central Gaza, April 25, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF soldiers operating in central Gaza, April 25, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

"The indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians goes against every international and humanitarian law and the rules of war," Gennez said.