Spanish Prime Minister Calls for Global Arms Ban on Israel Amid Escalation in Lebanon and Gaza

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on the international community to stop arms sales to Israel, condemning the nation’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon as the death toll among Palestinians rises to unprecedented levels. Since October 2023, when Israel began its military campaign in Gaza, an estimated 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, with millions displaced, prompting global outcry over what many are calling war crimes.

Sanchez’s latest remarks came in response to reports that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired upon UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, injuring two soldiers. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), led by a Spanish general and supported by 650 Spanish peacekeepers, reported a second similar incident in just two days, raising concerns about the safety of international forces in the region.

After meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Sanchez expressed his condemnation of Israel’s actions, stating, “Let me at this point criticize and condemn the attacks that the Israeli armed forces are carrying out on the United Nations mission in Lebanon.”

Sanchez has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military actions throughout its war on Hamas in Gaza. Since the start of the offensive in October 2023, 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, and millions have been forcibly displaced as a result of widespread airstrikes, ground assaults, and blockades. Sanchez’s remarks reflect his deep concern over the disproportionate force being used by Israel, which has led to a humanitarian crisis of immense scale.

In October 2023, Spain made the decision to halt arms sales to Israel, and Sanchez has urged other nations to do the same, claiming that stopping arms exports is crucial to preventing further escalation and protecting innocent lives.

“I think it is urgent, given what is happening in the Middle East, that the international community stops exporting weapons to the Israeli government,” Sanchez said. “This will help prevent more suffering and restore a sense of justice for the Palestinian people.”

Sanchez’s call comes amid growing international demands for an immediate ceasefire and accountability for the large-scale destruction in Gaza. Many human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes, particularly in targeting civilian areas and essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings.

As the war continues, millions of Palestinians have been displaced from their homes, creating one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent history. Sanchez emphasized the need for urgent action from the global community to halt the violence, protect the rights of Palestinians, and bring about a just resolution to the conflict.

Spain’s decision to stop arms sales to Israel reflects its commitment to international law and peace, as well as its role in leading the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. Sanchez’s stance reinforces Spain’s dedication to protecting human rights and pushing for a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.