Spain proposes int'l peace conference to find 2-state solution between Israel, Palestine

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Spain proposed Thursday holding an international peace conference to find a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"We propose that an international peace conference could be held within six months so that the entire international community feels involved. And we can definitely find a two-state solution to Israel and Palestine," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said before a European Council summit in Brussels.

"Israel is already recognized by the international community and who has to be recognized is, in this case, the Palestinian people," he said, insisting the solution to the conflict involves the coexistence of two states.

Noting that Madrid is aware that the recognition would require intense debating, he said: "We want to reach an agreement, but obviously there is still a lot of work to be done."

He renewed his call for a humanitarian pause to the conflict, as well as the establishment of a permanent flow of aid to the Gaza Strip in proportion to the needs of the population.

The prime minister also reiterated his country's position of condemning Hamas' terror attack and urged the Palestine resistance group to release all hostages.

"Israel has every right to defend itself, but within international humanitarian law," he said.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.