Two Palestinian men on hunger strike in central Brussels have been hospitalised as their protest enters its second week, with activists demanding the evacuation of family members stranded in Gaza, marred by Israeli genocide.
One of the men was admitted to the hospital Wednesday, while a second fell ill Friday.
Both were taken by ambulance to Sint-Jans Hospital, where they remain, according to Ismael Najar, who is also taking part in the hunger strike.
“The situation of the two individuals is currently unstable,” Najar told Belgian news portal Bruzz.
He added that the man admitted on Friday is suffering from gastrointestinal complaints.
Five people have been on hunger strike for two weeks, seeking the evacuation of their wives and children from Gaza.
The families have reportedly been stranded in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli genocide, despite having received Belgian family reunification visas last year.
According to the activists, around 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza who hold Belgian visas remain unable to leave because Israel has closed all borders.
The protesters are calling on the Belgian government to evacuate their children to a safe location, such as Egypt or Jordan, citing conditions in Gaza, including bombardment and lack of food and access to education.
The activists say they do not intend to call off the hunger strike, despite growing exhaustion.
Belgian Minister Van Bossuyt said she sympathises “with the heartbreaking situation in which those involved find themselves,” but added that “hunger strikes can never be a means to force the government to make certain decisions.”
