High-level call emphasizes European role in post-war planning, as West Bank raids continue and aid crisis persists despite fragile ceasefire.
RAMALLAH – Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa held a strategic call on Friday, focusing on international efforts to reconstruct Gaza and unify Palestinian governance ahead of future statehood.
The discussion underscored Spain’s deepening diplomatic engagement following its official recognition of Palestine, alongside Ireland and Norway, in May 2024.
Key priorities outlined in the conversation included:
- Gaza’s Future: Affirming the critical importance of European-supported reconstruction plans for the devastated enclave.
- Institutional Unity: Highlighting the urgent need to merge Palestinian institutions in Gaza and the West Bank as a foundation for a sovereign state, aligned with international resolutions like the 2025 New York Declaration.
- Immediate Pressures: Emphasizing the need to halt Israeli military operations and settler violence in the occupied West Bank and secure the release of Palestinian tax revenues held by Israel.
Prime Minister Mustafa thanked Spain for its sustained political and financial support. This cooperation will be further advanced during an upcoming visit to Spain by Palestinian Finance Minister Estephan Salameh this month to discuss development and reconstruction partnerships.
On-the-Ground Realities Contrast with Diplomatic Talks
The high-level diplomatic focus on long-term reconstruction contrasts sharply with ongoing tensions and humanitarian need.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted widespread raids on Friday, detaining nearly 50 Palestinians in cities including Ramallah and Hebron. This followed a similar wave of arrests the previous day.
While a fragile 12-week ceasefire has halted large-scale bombing in Gaza, sporadic Israeli fire, particularly along the “Yellow Line” separation zone, continues to cause casualties. Aid agencies warn that insufficient shelter materials and winter weather are severely compounding the humanitarian crisis.
In a related development, American actor and humanitarian Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing and a hospital in Egypt’s Arish city on Friday, drawing attention to the continued closure of the vital aid and transit route.
The talks between Spain and Palestinian leadership signal a concerted push to transition from crisis management to political and physical rebuilding, even as immediate instability persists.
