MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday described Israel’s military offensives in Lebanon as an “invasion”, urging the international community to take action against Israel’s ongoing strikes.
Speaking in parliament, Sanchez stated, “It is clear that there has been an invasion by a third country of a sovereign state such as Lebanon, and therefore the international community cannot remain indifferent.” Sanchez’s remarks follow Israel’s intensified military operations in Lebanon.
“We denounced (this situation) in Ukraine, we also denounce it in Gaza, and now we are also denouncing the invasion of Lebanon,” Sanchez added.
The Israeli military has been conducting ground incursions into southern Lebanon since September 30, where approximately 10,000 peacekeepers, including a contingent commanded by a Spanish general, are stationed.
Israel’s stated objective is to prevent Hezbollah from launching rockets toward northern Israel and to facilitate the return of around 60,000 displaced residents to the region.
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Since the onset of Israeli strikes on September 23, official Lebanese sources report nearly 2,000 casualties in Lebanon, including over a thousand deaths attributed to the recent military offensives in southern and eastern territories, as well as the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Sanchez has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s military response among European Union leaders. His statements have drawn ire from Israeli officials, particularly his expressed concerns regarding Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law. Earlier this year, under Sanchez’s leadership, Spain recognized Palestine as a state.
The Prime Minister also lamented the lack of consensus within the European Union regarding the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, stating, “I regret this because I believe that on these issues, we should be consistent not only with our position but also with the defence of international law and international humanitarian law.”
