Janice R. Andrews
Brussels, January 27, 2025 – A significant demonstration unfolded in Brussels on Sunday, with around 7,000 participants rallying to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters also urged the Belgian government and the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions on Israel, highlighting international apprehension over the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The march was orchestrated by a coalition of Belgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including 11.11.11, Amnesty International Belgium, Pax Christi, and Groen. The event sought to elevate the voices advocating for immediate and enduring peace in the region. Attendees carried placards bearing the first names of Palestinian victims, humanizing the staggering human toll of the 15-month-long conflict that has ravaged Gaza. According to local health authorities, more than 46,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have perished, and approximately 1.9 million individuals have been displaced from their residences.
Demands for Comprehensive Sanctions and Humanitarian Support
The demonstrators presented a multifaceted set of demands, emphasizing not only the urgent cessation of hostilities but also the need for long-term strategies to safeguard the Palestinian population. Central to their demands were the release of politically detained Palestinians, unimpeded access to international humanitarian assistance, and the establishment of a comprehensive international military embargo against Israel. Additionally, organizers called on the Belgian government to back the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Israel’s actions during the conflict with Hamas and to advocate for the suspension of the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel due to alleged human rights abuses.
Wies de Graeve, director of Amnesty International Belgium’s Flemish branch, underscored the significance of these measures. “The ceasefire has brought relief to the families of hostages and Palestinians who were arbitrarily detained in Israel,” de Graeve remarked. However, he cautioned that the living conditions in Gaza remain perilous, necessitating continued international intervention. “Without addressing the broader context of ending the occupation and dismantling the apartheid system imposed on Palestinians, a genuine solution that upholds the human rights of all in the region remains elusive,” he added.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis and Development Challenges
Despite the recent ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. A United Nations-backed report has revealed that the war has set Gaza’s development back by up to 69 years. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction plan that integrates immediate humanitarian aid with strategic investments to restore Gaza’s pre-war development trajectory within the next decade.
During the march, local health officials reported that Israeli forces fired upon the crowd, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries. In response, Israel defended its actions by stating that its military operations in Gaza are targeted at combating Hamas militants, not civilians. The conflict was reignited following Hamas’s cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which led to approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and over 200 individuals being taken hostage to Gaza.
Rising Tensions in the West Bank
While efforts to stabilize Gaza persist, violence has intensified in the West Bank. Israeli forces initiated a major operation in the city of Jenin, leading to the deaths of several Palestinians and the destruction of two Palestinian towns. Palestinian authorities and residents view these actions, along with the expansion of Israeli settlements, as attempts to solidify Israeli dominance over the West Bank, where three million Palestinians live under extended Israeli military control.
Jenin Mayor Mohammad Jarrar described the Israeli operations as “by far the hardest and most troubling” in recent months, cautioning against a potential “man-made disaster similar to what we have seen in Gaza.” The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees has raised concerns over Israel’s threats to shut down its East Jerusalem headquarters, which provide vital services such as education and healthcare to tens of thousands of Palestinians.
International Responses and Political Pressures
The global community remains deeply divided over the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is experiencing increasing domestic pressure from his far-right allies following the agreement to a ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange with Hamas. Concurrently, newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has revoked the Biden administration’s sanctions against Israelis implicated in violence in the occupied territories. According to the Times of Israel, these sanctions had previously targeted 17 individuals and 16 entities, including settlers involved in violent acts against Palestinians.
The Trump administration has also proposed that Egypt and Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza, a suggestion that has been met with strong opposition from Palestinian leaders and Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi. Both Egypt and Jordan, which maintain peace treaties with Israel and support the creation of a Palestinian state, have firmly dismissed the idea of permanently relocating Gaza’s population. Instead, Palestinian leaders have reiterated their commitment to rebuilding Gaza, asserting their capability to restore the region even better than before.
Historical Context and Persistent Displacement
The current crisis echoes the historical events of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, during which approximately 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes in what is now Israel—a tragedy commemorated as the Nakba. Israel’s refusal to allow these refugees to return has resulted in their descendants, now numbering around 6 million, being dispersed across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, deemed illegal under international law, exacerbates tensions and undermines the prospects for a two-state solution. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the current conflict in Gaza, over 851 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of ethnic cleansing, a claim that United Nations experts have described as a policy aimed at forcibly removing a civilian population through violent and terror-inspiring means.
The Road Ahead: International Support and Reconstruction Efforts
Looking forward, the international community faces the formidable task of addressing both the immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term political challenges in the region. The UNDP has outlined a pathway for Gaza’s recovery, emphasizing the necessity of coordinated efforts that include humanitarian aid, infrastructure rebuilding, and economic investments. Achieving these objectives will require steadfast support from the EU, the Belgian government, and other international stakeholders committed to restoring peace and stability in Gaza.
Moreover, the push for sanctions and embargoes against Israel remains a contentious issue. Proponents argue that such measures are crucial for holding Israel accountable for human rights violations and pressuring the government into negotiating a sustainable peace. Critics, however, contend that sanctions could worsen the humanitarian crisis and impede efforts to achieve a balanced and equitable resolution.
Conclusion
The large-scale march in Brussels highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As thousands of protesters advocate for a permanent ceasefire and international intervention, the path to peace remains fraught with obstacles. Ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians, restoring Gaza’s devastated infrastructure, and addressing the underlying political tensions in the West Bank are essential steps toward achieving enduring peace in the region.
With the international community closely monitoring the situation, the actions taken by the Belgian government, the EU, and global leaders in the coming months will be pivotal in shaping the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East. The call for justice, humanitarian assistance, and political accountability resonates beyond Brussels, reflecting a global demand for peace and the protection of human rights in one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
