President applauds Gaza ceasefire, calls for 'dialogue and diplomacy'

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, celebrated the Gaza ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of war on Wednesday night.

"The Gaza ceasefire is great news that gives hope after a very long time of horror and suffering," Illa wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"It is now time to continue moving forward with dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a lasting peace in the region. The arrival of humanitarian aid must be a top priority," he added.

The Spanish government took the opportunity to celebrate the ceasefire as a first step "towards a two-state solution," Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez wrote on X.

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas reached in Qatar on Wednesday night "has to put an end to the conflict and allow to face the terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza and the release of all hostages," he added.

"The agreement is crucial to reach stability in the region. It represents a crucial step towards a two-state solution and a fair and respectful peace following international laws," Sánchez wrote.

The arrival of "massive" humanitarian aid is urgent, the foreign affairs minister, José Manuel Albares, said from Beirut during a trip to Lebanon and Syria. The cabinet has €24 million ready to assign to Palestine, which could "quickly" be increased to €50 million.

"What we want is for the ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to be permanent and to translate into a peaceful future," Albares said.

In May 2024, Spain, in coordination with Ireland and Norway, recognized the state of Palestine as a "historic decision" with the "single objective to contribute to the achievement of peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Sánchez said in a statement.

"Recognizing the state of Palestine is not only a matter of historical justice, it is a necessity to achieve peace," he said.

"It is the only way to move towards a solution of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel," he added.