Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, called on the world to contemplate imposing sanctions on Israel in an attempt to stop its current offensive in Gaza. His words were preceded by a high-level gathering in Madrid on Sunday in attendance of 20 countries and leading international organizations to deal with the deteriorating humanitarian situation and urge a ceasefire.
The negotiations represent the fifth official meeting of the “Madrid Group,” a group of European and Arab states calling for peace in the Middle East. This is as Israel is being increasingly criticized internationally, even by long-time friends in the European Union, for its ongoing military strikes and Gaza blockade after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.
Aid agencies say current deliveries of some 100 trucks since Wednesday are well short of the daily figure of 500-600 trucks. United Nations has called the modest deliveries a “drop in the ocean.”
The Madrid conference is also meant to generate momentum for a planned UN-sponsored conference on the two-state solution, hosted jointly by France and Saudi Arabia on June 17 in New York. Spain wishes the conference to be a turning point in the quest for recognition of a Palestinian state.
Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Florian Hahn seconded Spain’s worries, labeling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “unbearable” and requesting a political solution through diplomacy.
Al Jazeera journalist Hashem Ahelbarra said the Madrid summit is potentially pivotal in launching political talks between Israel and Palestine. The Gaza Health Ministry puts the death toll in the enclave at almost 54,000, mostly women and children, since the conflict started.
