Gaza: Leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond issued strong condemnations on Saturday in response to Israel’s renewed military campaign in the Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate halt to the offensive amid rising casualties.
The Israeli military confirmed it had initiated a new ground operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and rescuing hostages still held since the group’s October 7, 2023, attack. However, the assault has sparked widespread alarm over the mounting civilian toll. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, more than 100 people were killed on Friday, with at least 10 more deaths reported Saturday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking at an Arab League summit in Baghdad, described the situation as a “massacre” and announced Madrid’s intention to present a United Nations resolution requesting a legal ruling on aid access to Gaza. He cited staggering figures: over 50,000 people dead, 100,000 wounded, and two million displaced since the war began. Sanchez urged global leaders to step up diplomatic efforts and use international law to pressure Israel to stop the violence.
Germany expressed deep concern over the new offensive, with a Foreign Office spokesperson confirming that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had discussed the situation with his Israeli counterpart and was coordinating with other regional actors.
European Council President Antonio Costa echoed the concerns, saying he was “shocked” by the images and reports emerging from Gaza. “Starving civilians, hospitals under fire—this violence must end,” he posted on social media.
At the Baghdad summit, Arab leaders intensified their criticism of Israel’s actions. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi accused Israel of committing “systematic crimes” aimed at erasing Palestinian presence in Gaza. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani went further, calling the campaign an act of genocide.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, also present at the summit, condemned what he described as the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” declaring that no justification exists for such suffering.
In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also voiced growing frustration, saying, “Enough with the attacks.” He called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, while emphasizing the need to shield civilians from further harm.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took direct aim at the United States, accusing President Donald Trump of deception. In a televised speech, Khamenei said Washington has used its power not for peace, but to support what he described as massacres and proxy wars, including in Gaza.
Since ending a six-week ceasefire in March, Israel has reimposed a full blockade on the enclave. While it blames Hamas for endangering civilians by operating in densely populated areas—an accusation Hamas denies—the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels.
Israel maintains that its military campaign seeks to eliminate Hamas’s military infrastructure and governing authority following the October 7 attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of over 250 hostages.
[Human Online, France24]
