European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced on Monday that 26 European countries in the bloc, out of 27 member states, demanded an “immediate humanitarian truce” in the Gaza Strip, at a time when the occupation army announced that it was preparing to launch an attack on the city of Rafah on the far side. South of the sector.

Borrell said in a press conference following the meeting of European foreign ministers that this request, which was rejected by Hungary, means a “cessation of battles” that later paves the way for a permanent ceasefire.

Borrell added that the 26 countries are "very concerned" about the possibility of launching an attack on Rafah, stressing that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and may "get worse" if Israel insists on carrying out this operation.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hajjah Lahbib confirmed, via the “X” platform, that the 26 countries called on Israel to refrain from any military action in Rafah.

Israel threatened to continue its attack in the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah area, during the month of Ramadan, which falls in March, if Hamas did not release the detainees by that time, at a time when the violent bombardment of the besieged Strip continues.

Borrell was asked about Hungary's refusal to join the request of the rest of the countries, and he refused to make any comment, stressing that the European Union intends to "play a role" in the region, and it can only do so if it is "unified."

Spain intends to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said on Monday that his country would unilaterally impose sanctions on Israeli settlers who practice violence in the West Bank if European Union member states did not reach an agreement on this matter.

Albarez told reporters: “If an agreement is not reached, Spain alone will proceed with imposing these sanctions on settlers who practice violence.”

Earlier on Monday, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin expressed his hope that European Union countries would unanimously agree to these sanctions.

Last week, the French authorities prevented 28 Israeli settlers from entering the country, accusing them of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Today, Tuesday, Albarez confirmed that Madrid supports the European consensus on implementing the two-state solution, stressing the need to protect Palestinian civilians during the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.