Spain’s defense minister calls Israel’s offensive in Gaza ‘real genocide’

MADRID, Spain — The Spanish defense minister says that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is a “real genocide,” as relations between Israel and Spain worsen following Madrid’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Reuters couldn’t immediately reach Israeli officials for comment on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.

Israel has strongly rejected accusations made against it by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it is committing genocide against Palestinians, saying its offensive is targeting the Hamas terror group which carried out the brutal massacre of southern communities on October 7.

The remark by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles in an interview with TVE state television echoes a comment by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz who earlier this week also described the Israel-Hamas war as a genocide.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.