GENEVA

The international law "does not endorse" the evacuation of Gaza as ordered by Israel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday.

"We defend Israel's right to defend itself, but always within international humanitarian law, which does not endorse the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza," Sanchez told a socialist rally in Merida.

He said the conflict, "which has generated so much suffering, will only be resolved when the two states, Israel and Palestine, are recognized so that they can coexist in peace."

Spain's foreign minister also voiced concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying he is "alarmed" by the ongoing events.

"It is urgent to protect the civilian population, allow access to aid and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the release of hostages," Jose Manuel Albares said on X.

"We are ready to increase Spanish aid after initial support of €1M ($1.05 million) to UN," Albares added.

Meanwhile, thousands took to the streets in Barcelona on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinian people amid intensifying violence.

The crowd carrying Palestinian flags chanted slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and criticized Israel.

The messages on placards included "Free Palestine," "It's not a war, it's genecoide," and "Long live Palestinian resistance!"

Many were seen wearing kufiyye, a traditional headdress considered a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

Week of airstrikes

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces a week ago launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.