Madrid under pressure: Minister meeting demands the end of the Gaza War!

Madrid under pressure: Minister meeting demands the end of the Gaza War!

The military operations of Israel, which began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, have already led to an alarming humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The death figures among the Palestinian civilian population have risen dramatically, and the blockade has led to an acute lack of food, water and medical care. As Tempo has demanded almost 54,000 lives to date, with the majority being women and children. Aid organizations criticize the small number of humanitarian aid goods that have been approved since the beginning of the crisis and speak of around 100 trucks in the last few days.

diplomatic pressure on Israel

The meeting aims to increase the diplomatic pressure on Israel and achieve immediate ceasefire. Albares emphasizes that a large number of voices, both from the EU and from Arab and Islamic countries, are necessary to defuse the situation. "We have to prevent Gaza from becoming a mass grave," he said. This will be the fifth official meeting of the so-called Madrid Group, which Minister from the Arabic-Islamic contact group and several European countries include.

In the run -up to the meeting, the Spanish parliament voted for an arms embargo against Israel, which could increase the pressure on the Israeli government. Families within the EU are currently also reviewing their trade relationships with Israel, whereby 17 of the 27 member states for reviewing the association agreement, which grants privileged commercial rights.

international response and follow

International criticism of Israel's military measures is growing, but there are no concrete consequences so far. The public reaction to the Israeli offensive is also reserved in the Arab world. According to ZDF there are efforts, but the desire for a ceasefire and effective auxiliary deliveries is not fulfilled. Many citizens in the Arab world are for a two-state solution, an attitude that is also supported by the previous contacts between Qatar, Egypt and Hamas.

The upcoming UN summit for the recognition of Palestine as an independent state, which is due to take place in New York on June 17, is seen as another way to bring about progressive change in the region. Albares emphasizes the urgency of introducing Palestine to the international political discourse and relieving the humanitarian crisis as quickly as possible.