The Spanish defense minister warned on Saturday that the situation in Gaza is a "real genocide" as tensions between "Israel" and Spain deteriorate further following Madrid's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, Reuters reported.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles referred to the war on Gaza as "real genocide" during an interview for TVE state television.

During the interview, Robles emphasized the need to address the ongoing massacre in Gaza, among other issues.

According to the minister, Madrid's recognition of a Palestinian state was to assist in ending the violence. 

"This is not against anyone, this is not against the Israeli state, this is not against the Israelis, who are people we respect," she stated.

Spain, Ireland, and Norway's recognition of a Palestinian state on May 28 drew an outraged response from "Israel", who deemed it a "reward for terrorism" and withdrew their ambassadors.

The news comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered "Israel" to immediately cease its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah in an emergency ruling on Friday.

Spain demands Israel comply with UN court ruling on Rafah

Following the decision, the Spanish government urged "Israel" to suspend its bombardment and ground attack on Rafah, AFP reported.

Spain emphasized that the ICJ's verdict on Friday was legally obligatory.

"Israel must comply with them," Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expressed on X.

"The same goes for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and access for humanitarian aid [to Gaza]," he added, noting that "the suffering of the people of Gaza and the violence must end."

Las medidas cautelares de @CIJ_ICJ, incluido el cese de la ofensiva de Israel en Rafah, son obligatorias. Exigimos su aplicación.

También el alto el fuego, la liberación de los rehenes y el acceso humanitario.
El sufrimiento de los gazatíes y la violencia deben terminar.

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) May 25, 2024

Spain has been one of the most vocal European critics of Israeli actions in the war on Gaza.

Spanish Deputy Premier Yolanda Diaz stated in a social media video posted on Thursday that Madrid's recognition of the Palestinian state on May 28 is only the start of a longer political process, expressing that Spain will continue to exert pressure to "defend human rights and put an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people."

Diaz expressed that although doing the "minimum" was a heroic action, it was still "insufficient", adding that “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

To the surprise of nobody at all, the Israeli ambassador to Spain blasted her remarks as inciting hatred and violence, citing on X that Spain as a democratic nation should have "no room for antisemitic declarations."

#Israel is furious at Spanish Deputy Premier Yolanda Diaz says #Spain cannot stop here.

“We will continue pressuring, from our position in the government, to defend human rights and put an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people,” Diaz said.

“We live in a moment where… pic.twitter.com/UjpiBIHYRC

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) May 24, 2024

"Israel" withdrew its ambassadors to Spain, Ireland, and Norway on Wednesday, after the announcement by the three EU governments that Palestinian statehood will be formally recognized next week, a decision the ambassador stated will "not contribute to peace and security."

Hamas welcomed the announcement by Ireland, Norway, and Spain of recognizing the State of Palestine, urging countries around the world to follow in their footsteps and recognize the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support their struggle for liberation and independence, and end the Israeli occupation. 

The movement described this announcement as an "important step" on the path of establishing the Palestinians' right to their land and independent state with al-Quds as its capital. 

According to The New York Times, European countries are experiencing growing international and domestic pressure to adopt a tougher stance against "Israel's" policies in occupied Palestinian territories, especially concerning the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.