Spanish PM calls EU to act over Gaza's 'catastrophic genocide'

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has issued a powerful rebuke of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, labeling it a "catastrophic situation of genocide" and urging the European Union (EU) to immediately suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel. The remarks were made ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, marking Sánchez's most forceful condemnation of Israel's actions to date.

Call for EU action

Sánchez referenced a recent EU human rights report that highlighted Israel’s alleged violations of its obligations under the cooperation agreement. The report, published by the EU's diplomatic service, pointed to evidence of human rights breaches, including Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid, high civilian casualties, targeted attacks on journalists, and widespread destruction in Gaza.

The Spanish leader criticized the EU's perceived double standards, noting that while the bloc has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it has yet to take comparable action against Israel. "It makes no sense," Sánchez remarked, advocating for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel accord to address the grave violations in Gaza.

A deeply divided bloc

Despite Sánchez's strong appeal, the prospect of suspending the EU-Israel agreement faces steep challenges. Such a move requires unanimous backing from all EU member states, an outcome diplomats view as highly improbable due to significant divisions within the bloc.

The toll of the Gaza conflict

The ongoing conflict has exacted a devastating human cost. It erupted following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. Of these, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 who the Israeli military reports as deceased.

Israel's subsequent military response has led to over 56,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations has deemed these figures credible, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

Sánchez’s remarks add to growing international scrutiny of the Gaza conflict, highlighting tensions in Europe’s foreign policy as calls for accountability and action intensify.