Gaza belongs to Palestinians: Sanchez calls Trump Gaza plan 'immoral'
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Speaking at the Moncloa Palace alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Sanchez firmly rejected the idea of forcing Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (R) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hold a press conference following their meeting at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, on February 19, 2025 (EFE)
Expelling Gaza's people is "immoral" and a breach of international law, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed Wednesday in response to a recent proposal by US President Donald Trump.
"Gaza belongs to the Palestinians," he affirmed while speaking at the Moncloa Palace with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The PM categorically condemned the concept of forcing Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip, emphasized the importance of el-Sisi's visit to Spain in light of the continuing Middle East situation, and reaffirmed Spain's opposition to any forced relocation.
At a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States "will take over," "own", and transform the Gaza Strip into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
To make matters worse, he revealed last week that Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza, stating of the territory, "I would own this."
The plan to forcibly displace Palestinians and ethnically cleanse Gaza will include "options of departure," i.e. means to expel Palestinians from their land, through land, sea, and air.
“Gaza…is part of the future Palestinian state,” Sanchez expressed, cautioning that evacuating Gaza residents would further destabilize the area, and underlined Spain's commitment to a "two-state" solution.
He emphasized Spain's support for the Arab League summit's proposal on Gaza rehabilitation, which is scheduled in Cairo on March 4.
Sanchez urged "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, to strengthen the truce and hailed Egypt for supervising its implementation and promoting discussions.
He also advocated for the unconditional release of captives and a significant increase in humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
Sanchez stated that Spain remains dedicated to regional stability, pointing out that it is the largest supplier of personnel to the European mission at the Rafah border crossing. He also stressed the need for actual global actions toward a "two-state" solution, including preparations for the June Peace Conference in New York, as well as Euro-Arab cooperation.
President el-Sisi complimented Spain for its position on Gaza and the recognition of Palestine as a state.
He agreed with Sanchez that the people of Gaza should not be forcefully removed, and he advocated for ongoing captive swaps, the execution of international agreements to safeguard the people of Gaza, and greater funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
