Spain has been quick to condemn Israel’s plans to escalate its military occupation of Gaza, as pressure increases for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse the latest decision taken by his government.
Israel said early on Friday that it plans to take over Gaza City, drawing rejection from the Palestinians and international condemnation. The decision, agreed in a late-night meeting of its security cabinet, marks a further escalation of Israel’s 22-month war with Hamas. It also provoked worries in Israel over the fate of hostages still held by Hamas.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Friday it would cause further suffering for the people of Gaza.
‘We firmly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to escalate the military occupation of Gaza. It will only cause more destruction and suffering,’ Albares said.
He added that ‘a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and massive entry of humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages are urgently needed’. ALSO READ: Spain airdrops 12 tonnes of food aid into Gaza, as famine threat intensifies.
Last year Spain officially recognised the state of Palestine as an independent country. ALSO READ: Sánchez: ‘We have a moral duty to save lives in Gaza’, which is a ‘catastrophic situation of genocide’.
Other nations around the world expressed concern on Friday over Israel’s latest plans, saying it would only worsen the conflict and lead to more bloodshed.
‘This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages,’ British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. It would, he said, ‘only bring more bloodshed’.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was ‘increasingly difficult to understand’ how the Israeli military plan would help achieve legitimate aims.
‘Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,’ he said.
Turkey urged global pressure to halt the plan. ‘We call on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land,’ said a foreign ministry statement.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on X that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned to express ‘our total disapproval of this decision’.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the plan must be ‘immediately halted’. Israel should instead allow ‘the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid’ and Palestinian armed groups must unconditionally release hostages, he added.
‘The Israeli government’s decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered,’ EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X.
She called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and ‘immediate and unhindered access’ for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Another major ground operation in Gaza would almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe, in which Israel’s air and ground war has pushed the territory toward famine. Hamas said people in Gaza would ‘remain defiant against occupation’.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.
Agotados, palestinos dicen que no acatarán las órdenes israelíes de evacuar la Ciudad de Gaza.
— CNN en Español (@CNNEE) August 8, 2025
Los detalles aquí. https://t.co/XuIHQSmJnW pic.twitter.com/QCVckqLyZ9
#Israel Government’s plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied #Gaza strip must be immediately halted. It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the… pic.twitter.com/HzYQmfwfmi
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) August 8, 2025
Condenamos con firmeza la decisión del gobierno israelí de escalar en la ocupación militar de Gaza. Solo provocaría más destrucción y sufrimiento.
Urge un alto el fuego permanente, la entrada masiva e inmediata de ayuda humanitaria y la liberación de todos los rehenes (1/2)
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) August 8, 2025
Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.