Ben Segers

A new analysis published by @UN_Women today shows that more than 38,000 women and girls were killed in #Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025. That is an average of at least 47 women and girls killed per day. buff.ly/kjtRyjP

UNICEF is outraged by the killing of two drivers of trucks contracted by UNICEF to provide clean water to families in the Gaza Strip. The victims were killed by Israeli fire in an incident that took place early this morning at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza. UNICEF extends our condolences to the families of the men killed. Full statement: unicef.link/4cVCyP9

I’m old enough to remember when the Trump administration eased US sanctions on Iranian oil. “In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the time. That was 3 weeks ago. Now a blockade.

On two occasions today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers rammed UNIFIL vehicles with a Merkava tank, in one case causing significant damage. The soldiers had blocked a road in Bayada that is used to access UNIFIL positions.

The Israeli Defense Forces have issued an evacuation order for Beirut’s Jnah area, which includes two major referral hospitals; the Rafik Hariri University Hospital and Al Zahraa Hospital. At this time, no alternative medical facilities are available to receive approximately 450 patients from the two hospitals (including 40 patients in the ICU), rendering their evacuation operationally unfeasible. Both facilities are operating at full capacity, including treating the injured from the strikes of 8 April. This zone also encompasses the @mophleb complex, and hosts five shelters accommodating more than 5000 people. I urge Israel to reverse this order and ensure the protection of all health facilities, health workers, patients and civilians.

.@UNIFIL_ has released preliminary findings into the 29 & 30 March incidents in which 3 Blue helmets were killed. On 29/03, the projectile was an armament round fired by the IDF. On 30/03, the explosion was caused by an IED likely placed by Hizbullah. Peacekeepers are #NotATarget

Based on its independent analysis of new satellite imagery and detailed knowledge of the site, the IAEA can confirm recent impacts of military strikes close to Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), including one just 75 metres from the site perimeter. The BNPP itself has not been damaged, the IAEA’s analysis of the 5 April imagery shows. Once again, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi warns that continued military activity near the BNPP - an operating plant with large amounts of nuclear fuel - could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond. Regardless of the nature of the intended targets, DG Grossi says such attacks pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop. DG Grossi reiterates call for all parties to fully respect the 7 indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict. A nuclear facility and surrounding areas should never be struck, DG Grossi says.

I join the @iaeaorg in raising the alarm again over the safety of nuclear facilities in #Iran. The latest incident involving the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a stark reminder: a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations. With every passing day of this escalating conflict, the stakes and threats are raised higher and higher. We must de-escalate now. Peace is the best medicine.

Multiple attacks on health have been reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in recent days amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The Pasteur Institute in Iran sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services. The Institute was established in 1920 and has been operating for over a century in multiple areas of medical research. It plays an important role in protecting and promoting population health, including in emergencies. Two of its departments have been working with @WHO as collaborating centres. In addition, the Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital sustained significant damage due to a strike on 29 March, and the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical facility, which produced medicines for treating cancer and multiple sclerosis, was damaged in another attack on 31 March. No casualties were reported from these incidents. Since 1 March, WHO has verified over 20 attacks on health care in Iran, resulting in at least nine deaths, including that of an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Attacks on health have also been recorded outside Tehran, including on 21 March, when an explosion nearby Imam Ali Hospital in Andimeshk, Khuzestan province, led to the facility’s evacuation and cessation of services. The conflict in Iran, and the region, is impacting the delivery of health services and the safety of health workers, patients, and civilians present at health facilities. Peace is the best medicine.

Trump: "We're gonna bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong". Keep in mind that an initial justification for the war was to "help" Iranians.

Belgium, with partner countries, condemns the escalation in Lebanon and calls on all parties to halt hostilities, respect international law and protect civilians. Full humanitarian access is essential. De-escalation and diplomacy must prevail.

NEW STATEMENT | A Hormuz Initiative to Protect Global Food Security The Middle East conflict threatens global food security. @CrisisGroup and prominent individuals call for an initiative to ease the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. crisisgroup.org/stm/global/ira…

So we are somehow supposed to believe that the paramedics whom Israel keeps killing and injuring in southern Lebanon are all Hezbollah? Targeting healthcare workers is a war crime.

An International Criminal Court judge describes how basic financial transactions are blocked because of Trump's sanctions, simply because the judge uphold arrest warrants for Israeli officials. EU governments should condemn this obstruction of justice. x.com/MiddleEastEye/…

The far-right government of #Netanyahu is now replicating its #Gaza model in #Lebanon. Europe’s silence is deafening. When will the European Commission finally suspend the Association Agreement, enforce sanctions and begin to exert real pressure on Israel?

He’s winding down the war and looking for an off-ramp but will blow up all their power plants unless they open the Strait which we don’t need and will open itself anyway which is why he might send ground troops to the country he already blew off the map.

Joint local statement of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah 🇧🇪🇨🇦 🇩🇰🇪🇺🇮🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇱🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇹🇪🇸🇬🇧 🇸🇪🇨🇭on increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. We strongly condemn increasing settler terror and violence by the 🇮🇱 security forces inflicted upon 🇵🇸 communities.

@safe_ketels Goeie moed en veel beterschap 🤜🤜

Ik krijg vaak de vraag van vrienden: "Ik wil mij inzetten voor asielzoekers, maar wat kan ik eigenlijk doen?" Awel se, op 2/10 begint de @FOD_Justitie aan een nieuwe ronde voogden opleiden. Go for it. Veel relevanter wordt het niet! justitie.belgium.be/nl/nieuws/ande…

@EddyTimmermans1 Fantastisch gedaan van jullie allebei, proficiat 👏

Leuke ontmoeting met Yahye gisteren. Twee jaar geleden hielp ik hem zijn rijbewijs te behalen, waardoor hij een job bij BPost kon krijgen. Na zijn uren volgde hij bij de VDAB een opleiding tot buschauffeur. Hij rijdt nu trots met de bus rond. Ik ben trots op hem 😊