Spain Urges EU Sanctions on Israel as Madrid Hosts Talks to End Gaza War
Spain’s foreign minister urged the European Union to consider sanctions against Israel, citing the mounting civilian toll in Gaza and an acute shortage of aid reaching the enclave, as per Al Jazeera.
“We must consider everything to stop this war,” Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told reporters ahead of high-level talks in Madrid that gathered representatives from 20 nations, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The meeting — the fifth session of the so-called Madrid Group — aims to build momentum for a UN conference on a two-state solution set for June 17 in New York.
Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’s 2023 October 7 attacks, has killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. A near-total closure of Gaza’s crossings has choked deliveries of food, water, medicine and fuel; aid agencies say about 500-600 trucks are needed daily, yet Israeli authorities have allowed roughly 100 trucks since Wednesday — a volume the United Nations calls “a drop in the ocean.”
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa accused Israel of imposing “famine” and “genocide” and urged world powers to intervene.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty said a lack of Israeli “political will” is prolonging the conflict but vowed continued diplomatic pressure for a ceasefire.
Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Florian Hahn described Gaza’s humanitarian situation as “unbearable,” backing an immediate truce and renewed political talks.
Path to June UN Conference
Albares said Sunday’s gathering is meant to “create momentum” so that “everyone can recognise Palestine as an independent state” at the New York conference, which France and Saudi Arabia will co-host. Previous Madrid Group meetings have included countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Norway and Ireland, the latter two already recognising Palestinian statehood.
The European Union last week began reviewing its cooperation agreement with Israel. Albares indicated that further pressure — including sanctions — may be necessary if conditions in Gaza do not rapidly improve.
