Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared that Spain is ready to deploy peacekeeping forces to Gaza, contingent upon advancements in the peace process and the establishment of suitable security conditions. This announcement was made during the annual ambassadors' conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid, attended by Spanish diplomats from across the globe.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Sanchez committed to seeking approval from the Spanish Parliament for this initiative once the necessary conditions are met and tangible progress is achieved in peace efforts, including the recognition of the two-state solution. He emphasized that the current situation in Gaza is "unacceptable," and underscored the need for a sustainable peace that goes beyond a temporary cessation of hostilities in the war-torn region.
Sanchez highlighted the importance of establishing a viable and secure Palestinian state as a means to ensure stability, development, and progress in a region that holds significant importance for both Europe and Spain. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Spain's continued support for Ukraine, pledging assistance for as long as required, while also expressing a desire for Spain to participate in the reconstruction of Palestine, where humanitarian conditions are dire.
This announcement follows Sanchez's recent statement on exploring the possibility of deploying Spanish peacekeeping forces in Ukraine post-conflict, in alignment with an agreement reached by the "coalition of the willing" in Paris, which includes binding security guarantees for Ukraine and the potential deployment of multinational military forces on the ground.