Madrid: Spain's prime minister on Wednesday called on the European Commission to take steps to protect the independence of the International Criminal Court and the UN, as well as their actions to end the genocide in Gaza.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pedro Sanchez urged the Commission to activate the Anti-Coercion Instrument to safeguard the autonomy of these international institutions and their efforts in halting the genocide in Gaza. Sanchez emphasized Spain's commitment to international justice, stating that the country will "not look the other way" and expressing concern that sanctioning those who defend international justice endangers the human rights system.

Sanchez insisted that the European Union must not be a passive observer "in the face of this persecution."

Reports from Gaza's Health Ministry indicate that since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed more than 72,600 people, primarily women and children, and injured over 172,000 in its assault on Gaza. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached last October, Israel has not permitted the full quantity of humanitarian aid into the region, exacerbating the dire conditions faced by approximately 2.4 million Palestinians, including 1.5 million displaced individuals.