Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, said on Sunday that the international community should consider imposing sanctions on Israel to force an end to its war in Gaza. His remarks came as European and Arab nations gathered in Madrid for talks aimed at halting Israel’s military offensive.

Some of Israel’s longstanding allies have joined the growing international chorus calling for restraint after the expansion of its military operations in the besieged enclave.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the conference, Albares described the war as “inhumane” and “senseless”. He called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza “massively, without conditions and without limits, and not controlled by Israel”. He referred to the territory as “humanity’s open wound”.

The talks in Madrid brought together representatives from several European countries—including France, Britain, Germany, and Italy—as well as envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Nations such as Norway, Iceland, Ireland and Slovenia, which have already recognised a Palestinian state alongside Spain, also participated. Brazil was present as well.

Al Jazeera