Spain to ramp up aid to Gaza by 1 million euros, ready to send more

MADRID (Reuters) – Spain pledges to increase its humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, announcing a generous package valued at 1 million euros ($1.06 million). Moreover, the country’s acting foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, emphasized Spain’s readiness to contribute further assistance during a news conference held on Tuesday.

“The primary objective is to ensure that the aid reaches the civilian population of Gaza, and Spain stands ready and willing to actively engage in humanitarian efforts,” stated Albares. He further acknowledged that additional aid packages will be allocated as the situation demands, as the need for more aid becomes increasingly evident.

In response to Israel’s embassy in Madrid claiming that some Spanish officials were showing support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the foreign ministry of Spain promptly refuted the allegation in an official statement.

The Spanish government reiterated its firm condemnation of Hamas’ attacks on Israel while advocating for the protection of civilians in Gaza. Additionally, they emphasized that any political party representative is entitled to express their viewpoints freely within the bounds of Spain’s democratic system.

Addressing the diplomatic dispute, Albares dismissed it as an isolated incident in bilateral relations. He considered the matter resolved following the publication of the ministry’s statement and his personal phone call with the Israeli ambassador, during which he described the accusations made by the embassy as an unwarranted and unfriendly act toward the Spanish government.

($1 = 0.9473 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)