Belgium evacuates 24 people from Gaza Strip

LONDON

Belgium is evacuating 24 people from the Gaza Strip via a flight that took off from Jordan on Thursday, according to the Foreign Ministry.

In a statement, the ministry said that they are evacuating 24 Belgian nationals and dependents who are either dual Palestinian and Belgian nationality, or with a status recognized by Belgium or with close family members who live in the country legally.

"This is a relief. After months of stagnation, these families can finally return to a safe situation," Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said in the statement.

He said that it is "crucial" to keep the dialogue open, adding that this allows messages to be conveyed and sometimes it also leads to concrete results.

"Belgium hopes to see concrete progress in the negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza," Prevot said.

The passage was organized following diplomatic contacts and the group passed through the Kerem Shalom border post on Wednesday.

The group then continued by road to Jordan, from where they took off on Thursday, heading for Brussels, The Brussels Times reported.

According to the foreign minister, there are still about 500 Belgian nationals and dependents in Gaza.