Spain's call for action on humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged for increased international pressure to halt what he describes as Israel's "massacre in Gaza." Speaking at an Arab League summit in Baghdad, Sanchez emphasized the urgent need for a United Nations resolution aimed at securing humanitarian aid access to the besieged Palestinian territory.

The ongoing conflict, ignited by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, has resulted in "unacceptable numbers" of casualties, with Sanchez noting that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to over 50,000 deaths, 100,000 injuries, and the displacement of two million people. He condemned the Israeli military offensive, stating that it violates the "principle of humanity."

Sanchez called on world leaders to "intensify our pressure on Israel to halt the massacre," leveraging international law as a means of intervention. He announced that Spain plans to submit a proposal to the United Nations General Assembly requesting the International Court of Justice to assess Israel's adherence to its international obligations regarding humanitarian aid access, particularly in light of the aid blockade that has been in place since March 2.

In addition, the Spanish government intends to support another draft UN resolution demanding that Israel "end the humanitarian blockade" and ensure "full and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid" to Gaza. Earlier this month, during a session in the Spanish parliament, Sanchez reiterated Madrid's commitment to presenting urgent measures at the UN aimed at protecting innocent civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

Highlighting the importance of a political solution, Sanchez stated, "The only path towards peace in the region is the implementation of the two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He called for broader recognition of the State of Palestine and expressed optimism for an international conference focused on the two-state solution, scheduled for June in Saudi Arabia. Sanchez characterized this conference as a "historic opportunity," contingent upon a united Arab and European consensus that spurs decisive action from the global community.