Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is preparing to tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Madrid intends to move toward recognizing Palestinian statehood in the near term. The information comes from sources familiar with the progress of Sanchez’s visit to Israel and was reported by a local newspaper. The report suggests that Madrid is already weighing a formal diplomatic stance that could mark a significant shift in its Middle East policy and European engagement on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
During the visit, scheduled for late November, Sanchez is expected to outline Madrid’s position in a public statement. He will be accompanied by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo as they plan to meet with Netanyahu and with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, while also engaging with Palestinian leadership. The discussions are framed within a broader regional effort to manage tensions, seek dialogue, and explore avenues for renewed negotiations aimed at stabilizing the area and addressing humanitarian concerns that affect civilians on both sides.
The current crisis in the Middle East intensified after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, signaling the onset of what Hamas termed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the state was at war and mobilized national resources to confront the threat. The unfolding events prompted a rapid military and security response designed to degrade the armed network and safeguard civilian populations in affected areas.
Israel’s stated objective in its campaign, often framed as a dual effort to neutralize Hamas and secure the release of hostages, has included large-scale rocket strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the Israeli National Security Council decided to curtail the flow of essential supplies, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, into Gaza in an attempt to pressure Hamas. Humanitarian aid shipments began moving through the Rafah crossing after October 20, but aid workers and observers have consistently noted that the volume and reach of assistance have remained insufficient to meet urgent needs.
On October 27, a broader ground operation in Gaza was announced, signaling a significant expansion of Israeli military activity. Although the exact start date of the ground push has not been publicly confirmed, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians reportedly evacuated their homes and relocated to shelters in southern Gaza as the fighting continued. By early November, Israeli forces had surrounded key areas in Gaza City, and aid deliveries and supplies to central Gaza appeared to be severely constrained as urban combat persisted and the blockade remained in place. The evolving situation has drawn international concern and prompted discussions about humanitarian corridors, ceasefires, and the prospects for renewed diplomacy amid ongoing hostilities.
Analysts suggest that the flare-up in the Palestinian-Israeli dispute has multiple contributing factors, including longstanding grievances, security concerns, and regional dynamics. Political scientists emphasize that the current phase of the conflict may hinge on both military outcomes and the reception of diplomatic initiatives from major regional and global actors. As the situation develops, observers await further statements from leaders and the potential for new formal positions that could influence memory, public opinion, and future diplomatic leverage in the search for a sustainable resolution to a decades-long impasse.