The Spanish Government is very satisfied with the agreement reached by the leaders of the European Union in which for the first time they ask for a ceasefire in Gaza and which endorses the position that the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, has been maintaining before the situation in the Strip. The European Council meeting held in the Belgian capital agreed to demand an “immediate humanitarian pause” in the war in Gaza “leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance.”

In addition, they urged Israel “not to carry out a ground operation in Rafah,” according to the text of conclusions of the summit that will conclude this Friday. It will be at its end when Sánchez appears at a press conference to take stock of the summit, but sources from the Spanish delegation expressed their satisfaction with the consensus which community leaders have reached. A consensus with conclusions that they consider compelling and that they insist show the gradual approach that has been taken by all countries to the position that Spain has been maintaining and Sánchez has defended from the beginning.

Sánchez himself, in statements to journalists upon his arrival at the summit, had already expressed his confidence that the conclusions made it clear that the European Union was moving towards Spain’s theses regarding the situation in Gaza. He specifically highlighted the need to ask for a ceasefire (finally agreed upon) to open the doors to humanitarian aid, which he said It has to be proportional to the “drama” that citizens are experiencing of the Strip.

The Government highlights that the conclusions emphasize the importance of land corridors for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and consider that the work of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) is essential both in Gaza and throughout the region. region. Furthermore, they ask for adoption of sanctions against violent and extremist settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem this as well as sanctions against Hamas, while the EU says it is prepared to hold a peace conference as soon as possible.

In his statements upon arrival at the summit, the President of the Government also referred to the need to continue maintaining unity in support for Ukraine and strengthening European deterrence capabilities and the defense industry. As an example of joint action to promote the defense industry, he gave the Next Generation funds that were decided upon due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Europe is a peace project, and to guarantee that peace, that space of rights and freedoms that is Europe,” he said. we need to increase our deterrence capacityour security, our defense, so that there are no temptations from regimes like Vladimir Putin’s.” EFE BB/av