Madrid: Egypt and Spain have jointly called for efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip following the devastating impact of Israel's recent conflict. The two nations emphasized the importance of rebuilding the enclave without displacing its inhabitants.

According to Anadolu Agency, a joint statement was issued after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to Spain. The statement highlighted the need to transform the current ceasefire into a permanent cessation of hostilities, enabling a substantial distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the release of remaining captives. Cairo and Madrid also encouraged donor countries to actively participate in an upcoming conference, which Egypt is organizing, focused on Gaza's reconstruction. However, the date for this conference has yet to be determined.

On Wednesday, President Sisi engaged in discussions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, addressing various mutual concerns, including the dire situation in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump faced backlash after proposing the idea of taking control of Gaza and relocating its Palestinian residents to transform the area into what he described as 'the Riviera of the Middle East.' This proposal was met with rejection from Palestinians, Arab nations, and Western allies of Washington, who criticized it as a form of ethnic cleansing.

The controversial suggestion emerged amid a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that commenced on January 19, temporarily halting Israel's intense conflict, which resulted in the deaths of at least 48,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and left widespread devastation. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.