Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares urged on Sunday an immediate end to the destruction and loss of life in the Middle East, as Israeli airstrikes intensified on Gaza and Lebanon. Albares called for compliance with international law and the protection of civilians, condemning the escalating violence in the region.

"The intensification of bombings in Beirut and Gaza, which we condemn, is leaving dozens of victims. The destruction and death must stop in the Middle East," Albares wrote on X, reiterating Madrid's demand for a ceasefire.

His remarks followed an Israeli airstrike that struck a UN-run school in Gaza City, killing at least 10 people and injuring 20 others. The school, located in the Shati refugee camp, had sheltered hundreds of displaced civilians, according to Gaza's Civil Defense Service.

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ياالله افتح لنا #ابواب السموات والارض وانفاق الأرضين السبع بقدراتك وعظمتك فقد طفح الكيل وبلغ الُسِيَلُ الُزُبّاء ،، #مجزرة. جديدة مروووعة
في قصف على مدرسة تأوي نازحين في مخيم الشاطئ غزة 🔥🔥 @mahmmoud_sharef @AnasAlSharif0 @HossamShabat pic.twitter.com/589BQVYk0D

— انور النعماني (@AnwrMany) November 17, 2024

Israeli airstrikes also targeted civilian and religious sites in Lebanon, with at least 27 attacks reported on Sunday. State media detailed strikes near Our Lady of Salvation Church and Saint George Hospital in Hadath, a southern suburb of Beirut. Another airstrike destroyed a 12-story residential building near Mar Michael Church in Beirut's Chiyah neighborhood.

من مكان العدوان الإسرائيلي حيث تصاعدت ألسنة النار في منطقة مار الياس في #بيروت.#لبنان #الميادين_لبنان pic.twitter.com/3yrVwVyTFs

— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) November 17, 2024

Lebanese health authorities reported more than 3,400 deaths, over 14,600 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million people since October 2023.

As for Gaza, the ongoing genocide which began in October 2023, has resulted in nearly 43,800 martyrs, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.

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Israeli airstrikes have systematically targeted schools, hospitals, and places of worship, rendering the enclave nearly uninhabitable. Human rights organizations have raised concerns that these actions may amount to war crimes under international law.

International pressure on "Israel" has particularly intensified, as the regime also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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Spain denies docking to US weapons vessels bound for 'Israel'

Earlier this month, the Spanish government made the bold decision of denying docking permission to two US cargo vessels suspected of transporting weapons for "Israel".

On November 7, a spokesperson for the Spanish Foreign Ministry told El Pais that the Maersk Denver, which departed New York on October 31, and the Maersk Seletar, which left on November 4, “will not stop in Spain.”

Lawmaker Enrique Santiago had previously urged the attorney general to take action in light of the two cargo ships' plans to dock in Spain, scheduled to arrive on November 9 and 14, warning that their arrival at the Port of Algeciras would violate the country's penal code.

In May, Spain announced a ban on ships carrying military material bound for "Israel" from docking at its ports. However, an investigation by Progressive International and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) revealed that at least 25 US arms shipments to "Israel" stopped at the Port of Algeciras between May and September.

At the time, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in response to the investigation, “We are studying the information with the ministries responsible for the control and entry of goods into the national territory to clarify what happened.” 

“If the information is confirmed, all necessary measures will be taken. The MFA has made and continues to make repeated appeals to tighten controls so as to ensure strict compliance with its decisions on this matter,” the spokesperson added.