By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Two parties from Belgium's governing coalition, Vooruit and CD&V, on Wednesday called for urgent meetings of both parliament and the federal government to address the situation in Gaza, local media reported.

According to the Belga news agency, the parties supported convening the parliament's foreign affairs committee but also demanded a meeting of the council of ministers during the summer recess.

"We also want both parliament and the council of ministers to meet in August," said Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau, stressing the need to "send a stronger signal and take tougher action against the genocide taking place in Gaza."

CD&V party leader Nawal Farih said a parliamentary hearing alone would not be enough. "It is important to us that the government considers this issue and takes decisive action."

Opposition parties Groen and Ecolo had already called on Tuesday for the foreign affairs committee to meet, a call now backed by the ruling parties.

The Flemish nationalist N-VA, the party of Prime Minister Bart De Wever, also supported a committee meeting, with parliamentary leader Axel Ronse saying any debate "that seeks solutions to end this terrible situation is worthwhile."

The new deaths brought the death toll from starvation since October 2023 to 154, including 89 children.

Last week, the UN World Food Program (WFP) warned that one-third of Gaza’s population had gone without food for several consecutive days due to the Israeli siege.

According to WFP estimates, one in four Palestinians in Gaza faces famine-like conditions, and 100,000 women and children are suffering from acute malnutrition.

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for 18 years, and since March 2, has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and worsening already dire conditions in the enclave.

Palestinian officials say that a minimum of 500 aid trucks are needed per day to meet the needs of the territory’s 2.4 million population.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 60,000 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages.