MADRID (Reuters) – The prime ministers of Spain and Ireland on Wednesday called on the European Commission to urgently investigate whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations in Gaza.
At least 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 were taken hostage in an October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate. The Gaza Health Ministry announced Wednesday that at least 28,576 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks.
Palestinians crammed into their last refuge in Gaza on Wednesday warned that Israel would soon launch a planned attack on the southern city of Rafah after ceasefire talks in Cairo failed. He expressed his growing concerns about this.
“We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip…The expansion of Israeli military operations in the Rafah area poses a grave and immediate threat that the international community must urgently confront,” the prime minister said. stated in a joint letter released. On the Spanish government website.
“We also recall the horrors of October 7 and call for an immediate ceasefire to free all hostages and facilitate access to urgently needed humanitarian supplies.”
The European Commission confirmed receipt of the letter.
An EU spokesperson said: “When it comes to Israel, we urge all parties to respect international law and note that respect is necessary and there must be accountability for violations of international law.” .
Two weeks ago, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was holding talks with other EU leaders about a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, citing concerns that Israel may be breaching the agreement’s human rights provisions. said.
The 23-year-old agreement sets out a framework for free trade in goods, services and capital, based on “respect for human rights and democratic principles”.
So far, only Spain and Ireland have expressed support for the review.
Mr Varadkar said several EU countries were also discussing the possibility of joint recognition of a Palestinian state.
Ireland has long been a champion of Palestinian rights, and ministers have repeatedly said the government is considering recognizing a Palestinian state.
Spain has also repeatedly advocated recognition of a Palestinian state.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Aislinn Laing and Nick Macfie)