Spain joins countries condemning Israeli ministers who want forceful relocation of Gazans

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Spain joined countries Wednesday condemning the Israeli ministers who want the forced relocation of the population in Gaza.

“The Government of Spain rejects recent statements by members of the Government of Israel evoking population movements in Gaza that would be contrary to international law,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Spain reiterates the urgent need to respect international law, international humanitarian law and to guarantee the protection of the civilian population,” it added.

The statement came after comments by hardline Israeli officials including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who called for the "voluntary evacuation" of Palestinians from Gaza and urged countries to take them in.

European countries, including the UK, France and Germany also condemned the remarks by Gvir and Smotrich.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 22,185 Palestinians have since been killed and 57,035 injured, according to Gaza’s health authorities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.​​​​​​​

The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine.