Senhan Bolelli
03 October 2024•Update: 03 October 2024
MADRID
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed solidarity with his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati on Wednesday, reiterating his call for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon.
"I just spoke with the Prime Minister of Lebanon @Najib_Mikati to express my solidarity and support in the difficult times his country is going through," Sanchez wrote on X, noting that Spain has increased its humanitarian aid to assist the Lebanese civilian population.
"It is essential that international law and international humanitarian law, as well as Lebanon's territorial integrity, be respected," he added.
Saying that consistency "must continue to guide our external actions," Sanchez reiterated the need to "stop this war."
"We demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon," he added.
His comments came as several Spanish military aircraft departed for Beirut to evacuate nationals in Lebanon.
Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 41,600 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October.
The conflict spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country against the Lebanese Hezbollah group which have killed 1,928 people and injured nearly 9,300 others since Sept. 23.
