Re-elected Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories on Thursday, with plans to declare recognition of the State of Palestine. The trip will be undertaken in coordination with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, signaling a joint diplomatic approach to a long-standing regional conflict.
The two leaders will begin with a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Government sources in Madrid indicate that Sánchez intends to convey Madrid’s view that recognizing Palestine offers a viable path toward resolving the conflict, centered on a two-state framework that has long been the international community’s favored solution.
After meeting in Jerusalem, Sánchez is scheduled to travel to the West Bank, specifically Ramallah, for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The purpose of these discussions is to explore prospects for renewed dialogue and to reinforce Europe’s support for swift, credible steps toward peace and stability in the region.
On Friday, the prime minister will proceed to Egypt for a series of bilateral talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. A visit to the Rafah crossing is also planned to underscore concerns about humanitarian access and regional stability.
Spain currently chairs the Council of the European Union, and the presidency will transfer to Belgium at the start of the new year. The presence of both Spanish and Belgian leaders in the region is framed as a demonstration of the EU’s unified stance and its commitment to engaging both sides in an effort to foster peace and reconciliation.
The Middle East crisis intensified after Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, an assault that Hamas framed as the opening of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war, setting the stage for a broad security and humanitarian crisis in the area.
Israel’s aim in its broader campaign, described by officials as Operation Iron Sword, has been to neutralize Hamas, secure the release of more than 200 hostages including foreigners, and restore security in southern communities. From the outset of the operation, Israel launched extensive air strikes on Gaza, while the National Security Council acted to restrict the flow of essential supplies and utilities into the territory. Humanitarian aid deliveries began through the Rafah crossing on October 20, but aid flows remained insufficient for many in Gaza, drawing international concern.
As the ground phase of the operation expanded in late October, families in Gaza faced mass displacement, moving toward shelter areas in the southern parts of the territory. By early November, Israeli ground forces had surrounded Gaza City and cut off most civilian supplies, yet clashes continued in central Gaza as the campaign persisted.
Analysts note that long-running tensions between Israelis and Palestinians among the factors driving the current flare-up include political dynamics, security concerns, and competing national narratives. Political scientists emphasize the need for durable diplomacy that could translate humanitarian concerns into a pathway toward a lasting ceasefire and a sustainable political solution. These assessments highlight how international actors, including the European Union, are seeking to influence both sides toward constructive engagement and renewed negotiations.