Spain and Ireland have requested this European Commission The President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, announced this Wednesday to “urgently” investigate whether Israel respects human rights in Gaza.
Both countries made the request “in view of the untenable situation in Gaza and the risk of an even greater humanitarian catastrophe due to the expansion of the Israeli military operation in Rafah,” in the south of the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of residents are seeking, according to a statement from the president of the Spanish government Gaza Strip's refuge.
Specifically, Spain and Ireland wrote to the Commission asking the Commission for “an urgent assessment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in order to examine whether the essential aspects of the relationship are being respected in terms of human rights and democratic principles.”
A commission spokeswoman, Arianna Podesta, confirmed receipt of the letter at a press conference and assured that “it is being analyzed.”
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“We call on all parties to respect international law on this Israel issue, and we emphasize that there must be respect and responsibility when international law is violated,” the spokeswoman said at the press conference. EU Foreign Minister Nabila Massrali.
Spain, like Ireland, has been one of the most critical European voices towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government since the start of the conflict.
Israel promises “vigorous” military action in the Gaza Strip
Israel on Wednesday pledged “vigorous” military action in Rafah, despite international pressure to avoid an offensive against the southern Gaza city, which is overwhelmed by the presence of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war against Hamas start.
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“We will fight until complete victory, which requires strong action in Rafah after allowing civilians to leave the combat areas,” the Israeli prime minister said. Benjamin Netanyahuon his official Telegram account.
The Israeli leader assured this weekend that he would open “a safe passage” for the population to leave the city, without specifying where.
The United States said it opposed an offensive against Rafah If there are no guarantees for the safety of civilians, the head of the UN humanitarian affairs department, Martin Griffiths, warned that “military operations in Rafah could lead to a massacre.”
ceasefire negotiations
For their part, international mediators stepped up efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza between the Islamist movement Hamas and Israel, which is also facing growing tensions on the border with Lebanon, where new artillery crossings have taken place.
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According to the Ministry of Health of the Gaza StripIn the Hamas-ruled Hamas, 103 people were killed in Israeli bombings in the last 24 hours in the besieged Palestinian territory devastated by more than four months of war.
The attacks were concentrated on Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south.
Rafah, along with the closed border with Egypt, became the last refuge for 1.4 million Palestinians U.N.The vast majority have been displaced by war and live in extreme conditions.
Since Tuesday, Egypt has been receiving representatives from USA., Israel's main base, and Qatar, where the Hamas leader lives.
The war has displaced tens of thousands of people.
status
- Goal. The US is seeking a ceasefire that would include the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped in Gaza on October 7th.
- Rafah. This city became the last refuge in the entire Gaza Strip for 1.4 million Palestinians.