Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced a new hurdle. The meeting, reported by Al Jazeera, saw De Croo urging Israel to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza and to pursue the protection of noncombatants amid renewed violence.
De Croo emphasized his concern about the renewal of hostilities and reiterated his earlier call at the Rafah crossing for an end to civilian casualties. He expressed hope that more hostages would be released promptly and that humanitarian corridors would become a stable feature of daily life for those trapped in Gaza. The Belgian leader spoke about the urgent need for reliable humanitarian access that does not rely on ad hoc measures, noting that aid delivery must be consistent and unblocked.
He also described the latest surge in fighting around Gaza as deeply troubling, stressing that the broader Palestinian-Israeli conflict should not worsen humanitarian conditions for civilians. His remarks underscored the international expectation that every effort be made to protect vulnerable populations while negotiations and international diplomacy continue in parallel.
Earlier in October, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket campaign against Israel and announced the starting point of its operation, later named Al-Aqsa Flood. Militants penetrated Israeli territory, seized equipment, and captured dozens of people. Israel responded with Operation Iron Sword in Gaza, declaring its aim to dismantle Hamas and secure its borders. The military response led to a Gaza-wide blockade, extensive bombing, and calls for mass movement of residents toward the south to avoid danger in northern areas.
On November 22, a provisional agreement was reached that would enable the release of hostages and a four-day pause. During this pause, 50 women and children would be freed, and representatives from the Red Cross would be allowed access to remaining captives to provide medical care. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, stated that once the pause ends, Israel would continue to address the complex challenges in the region. Subsequently, on December 1, Israel suspended the ceasefire after Hamas did not meet the terms set for the hostage release, a decision that drew international concern and calls for renewed dialogue to prevent further civilian harm.
In a related development, Iran publicly framed its position around preventing another catastrophe in Gaza and urged international action to stop violence that affects civilians. The remarks reflect the broader regional and global stakes in any attempt to stabilize the area and protect civilian lives in the face of ongoing conflict.