European ministers slam Israel's Gaza control plan
Madrid (AFP)Spain and seven other European nations on Sunday condemned Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City, warning it would kill large numbers of civilians and force nearly a million Palestinians from their homes.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet on Friday greenlighted plans for a major operation to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of domestic and international criticism.In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight nations said the decision "will only aggravate the humanitarian crisis and further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages".They also warned that the planned offensive and occupation of Gaza City would be "a major obstacle to implementing the two-state solution, the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace".
Besides Spain, the statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal and Slovenia.
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