‘All civilians must be protected at all costs,’ Spain’s premier tells Israeli president

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for an urgent end to the “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday.

“All civilians must be protected at all costs,” Sanchez told the Israeli president. “Humanitarian aid must enter the Gaza Strip immediately.”

In his first meeting on his tour to Israel, Palestine and Egypt, Sanchez told Herzog that he believes Israel has the right to defend itself, but that it must comply with international humanitarian law.

“The response cannot imply the death of innocent civilians in Gaza, including thousands of children,” Sanchez was filmed saying to Herzog in a public conversation.

The newly reelected Spanish prime minister added that once the conflict comes to an end, Palestinian authorities should take control of Gaza as opposed to an Israeli occupation.

Sanchez also pushed for peace talks to be held “as soon as possible.”

“We must achieve the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace and security. For this, they can count on Spain,” said Sanchez.

After the meeting with Herzog, the Spanish premier will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After that, he will visit Kibbutz Be’eri, where around 100 people were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Sanchez will then meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

He is traveling alongside his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, who also expressed his “deep concern about the many civilian casualties in Gaza” during his meeting with Herzog.

“A rapid scaling up of humanitarian access and respect for international law by all sides is truly essential,” said De Croo.

Spain currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council. In January, that role will go to Belgium.

Sanchez has vowed to recognize the State of Palestine, while the Belgian government has announced it is considering a similar move.

On Friday, the Spanish and Belgian leaders will travel to Egypt.