Israeli PM Netanyahu announcing the expulsion of Spanish representatives from the Kiryat Gat civil-military coordination center for Gaza ceasefire monitoring, April 10, 2026. [@IsraeliPM / X]
Conflicts

Israel Expels Spain From Gaza Truce Center Amid Rising Tensions

Move follows mounting criticism of Israel’s military actions and policies

Naffah

Israel has expelled Spain from a key coordination body overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Spanish representatives would be removed from the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat.

The center was established under a United States-led framework tied to President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

Diplomatic Rift

Israeli officials cited what they described as persistent hostility and bias from Spain’s government as the basis for the move.

The foreign affairs ministry said Spain’s participation had been revoked due to a “blatant anti-Israeli bias” and actions that harmed both Israeli and American interests.

The decision followed sustained criticism from Madrid over Israel’s wars in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, as well as policies in the occupied West Bank.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been among the most outspoken Western critics of recent military actions, particularly those linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Escalating Tensions

Netanyahu framed the decision as a direct response to Spain’s stance, signaling a broader warning to other countries.

“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” he said in a public statement.

He added that countries opposing Israel’s position risk exclusion from future regional cooperation efforts.

Israeli officials confirmed that the United States was informed in advance of Spain’s removal from the coordination mechanism.

The move underscores growing fractures among Western allies over Middle East policy, particularly in relation to the Gaza ceasefire and wider regional conflicts.

It also reflects an intensifying diplomatic divide as criticism of Israel’s military actions continues to expand across Europe.

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