Beyza Binnur Dönmez
09 October 2025•Update: 09 October 2025
GENEVA
The Spanish foreign minister on Thursday called on European and Arab leaders meeting in Paris to "unite our voices" to ensure that a ceasefire in Gaza opens a path toward lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
"Today, what we are going to try to do here in Paris is to unite our voices, our strengths, and our ideas so that this path that is beginning to open today is irreversible and that we can finally implement the two-state solution," Jose Manuel Albares told reporters ahead of the meeting.
He described the gathering as a joint effort by European and Arab foreign ministers "in favor of peace for Gaza, for the Palestinians and the Israelis, and for the entire Middle East." Albares called the moment "a path of hope" for a different future of coexistence, but stressed urgent priorities must come first.
"What is urgent is to reach a ceasefire that allows for the unconditional release of all hostages, the release also of Palestinian detainees, and the massive entry of humanitarian aid that can put an end to this induced famine. And this must be a first step," he said.
The minister said the ultimate goal must be a "realistic and viable Palestinian state" under a single Palestinian authority, with Gaza and the West Bank connected by a corridor, a port in Gaza, and East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in mutual security and prosperity.
Albares stressed that governance, security, and the reconstruction of Gaza must be addressed for the process to succeed. While acknowledging that "we are still very far" from achieving such a framework, he insisted every step taken must consolidate a permanent ceasefire and open the way to rebuilding Gaza so Palestinians can resume normal lives.
He also highlighted Spain's readiness to contribute to peacekeeping efforts, citing its longstanding participation in UN missions such as UNIFIL in Lebanon.
The remarks came after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas early Thursday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, based on a 20-point plan presented by US President Donald Trump.
The first phase of the plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, gradual Israeli withdrawal from an agreed-upon line in Gaza, and the entry of humanitarian aid.
The deal followed days of negotiations in the Red Sea city, with senior officials from Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, and the US joining the delegations.
The second phase calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas’ participation, the formation of a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas.
It also stipulates Arab and Islamic funding for the new administration and the reconstruction of the Strip, with limited participation from the Palestinian Authority.
Arab and Muslim countries have, by and large, welcomed the plan, but some officials have also said many details in it need discussion and negotiations to be fully implemented.
