Spain urges immediate cease-fire in Gaza amid escalating violence

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Amid escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, Spain urgently appealed for a cease-fire on Friday.

In its second statement of the week, Spain expressed continued concern over the rising violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Madrid called for an urgent cease-fire to avoid the loss of more lives and urged all parties to respond to Egypt’s truce efforts.

On Friday, the Israeli military launched more airstrikes on Gaza after armed Palestinian factions fired rockets towards Israel.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel's airstrikes resulted in the death of 31 Palestinians, including six children and three women.

In the city of Rehovot, Palestinian fighters killed an Israeli citizen, as reported by Israel's national emergency medical service.

The most recent surge of violence began Tuesday when Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 Palestinians, including four children and four women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Three senior military commanders from the Islamic Jihad group were among those killed.

On Thursday, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borell also called for an immediate comprehensive cease-fire, which would require the end of Israeli military operations in Gaza and rocket firing against Israel.

Spain previously issued a statement on Tuesday, reminding Israel of its "obligations to respect international humanitarian law."