Madrid, January 8 – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has thrown his weight behind restoring peace in Gaza, declaring his nation’s readiness to send troops if the opportunity arises. Speaking at a meeting of Spanish ambassadors on Thursday, Sanchez emphasized Spain’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts in the war-torn region.
‘When the moment comes, I will present a proposal to Parliament to deploy a peacekeeping force in Palestine so we can see how to advance this peace effort,’ Sanchez stated firmly. He drew parallels to Spain’s willingness to contribute forces to Ukraine under a peace agreement, underscoring a consistent foreign policy stance on global stability.
Sanchez did not mince words about the dire situation in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. ‘Of course, we have not forgotten Palestine and the Gaza Strip… Spain must actively participate in bringing hope to Palestine. The situation there is still unbearable,’ he remarked, highlighting the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the area.
This bold proposition comes against the backdrop of Spain’s vocal criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which intensified following Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Madrid, one of Europe’s strongest detractors of the campaign, officially recognized Palestine as a state in 2024.
The Prime Minister also reiterated Spain’s preparedness to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, calling the current juncture ‘essential’ and ‘decisive’ for achieving peace there. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s opposition to foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, Sanchez argued, ‘We have sent peacekeeping forces to many distant regions before. Why couldn’t we, as a European country, do the same for Ukraine?’
Recent developments offer a glimmer of hope for Gaza. A ceasefire, brokered by incoming US President Donald Trump in 2025, has completed its first phase, with negotiations underway for the second. Sanchez’s announcement signals Spain’s intent to play a pivotal role in the fragile path to lasting peace.
As international attention shifts toward post-conflict reconstruction, Spain’s proactive stance could galvanize other European nations to commit resources and personnel, potentially reshaping the security landscape in the Middle East.
