Belgian‑Palestinian residents have appealed to Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot for an urgent meeting to arrange the evacuation of relatives with Belgian visas who remain trapped in Gaza, where severe rains and strong winds have inundated their shelters, Anadolu reports.
Ismail El Najjar, speaking for Palestinian families in Belgium, told Belga that hundreds of visa‑holders have endured damage to their homes and personal belongings as a result of the severe weather that began on Friday night.
He added that families are still waiting for definitive details from the federal government regarding the evacuation of their relatives to Belgium.
“The cold is deadly, but fear and uncertainty are as devastating as bullets,” El Najjar said, noting that between 1,500 and 1,800 Palestinians with Belgian visas live in high‑risk areas of Gaza.
Prevot acknowledged that the extreme weather has further deteriorated conditions in Gaza and expressed regret that the federal government has not yet reached an agreement on evacuations.
His office indicated it is considering accepting a delegation representing the families.
Prevot had earlier proposed prioritizing the evacuation of 320 Palestinians, but the plan stalled due to disagreements within the coalition government, including opposition to admitting 13 Gaza students who hold Belgian student visas.
Israeli attacks have largely destroyed Gaza’s housing and infrastructure, leaving many Palestinians in temporary shelters vulnerable to worsening winter conditions.
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