'Bombing civilian areas and populations is contrary to international law,' says Belgian foreign minister

GENEVA

A Belgian aid worker and his son have been killed by Wednesday night's Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Belgian development agency Enabel said on Thursday.

"It is with deep sorrow and horror that we learn of the death of our colleague Abdallah Nabhan (33) and his 7-year-old son Jamal last night after an Israeli airstrike in the eastern part of the city of Rafah," the agency said on X.

According to a statement released by the agency, Nabhan's wife is in critical condition in hospital and the couple's two other children -- aged 5 and 7 months -- sustained minor injuries.

The aid worker's 65-year-old father, 35-year-old brother, and 6-year-old niece also lost their lives in the attack, it said.

The attack took the lives of "at least seven people and many others were injured," the statement noted.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib expressed solidarity with the aid worker's family and colleagues.

"Bombing civilian areas and populations is contrary to international law," Lahbib said on X, and added: "I will summon the Israeli ambassador to condemn this unacceptable act and demand an explanation."