Israel summons Spanish and Belgian ambassadors for talks over Gaza

(Patria) - The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium on Friday for a "sharp reprimand" over comments by the leaders of the two countries regarding the Israeli offensive in Gaza, AFP reported.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry quickly retaliated by summoning the Israeli ambassador to explain the "false and unacceptable" accusations of her government against the Spanish prime minister.

Visiting the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Friday, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that the Israeli "operation must respect international humanitarian law" and condemned the destruction in the Gaza Strip as "unacceptable."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed his views, stating that the "indiscriminate killings of innocent civilians" in the Palestinian territory are "completely unacceptable."

Both leaders called for a lasting ceasefire in the war-torn territory.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen "ordered the summoning of the ambassadors of these countries for a sharp reprimand," a statement from his office said, accusing the two leaders of supporting "terrorism."

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "strongly" condemns the comments of the European leaders. A statement released by his office blamed them for not placing "full responsibility on Hamas for the crimes against humanity it committed, massacring Israeli citizens and using Palestinians as human shields."

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told public television that he summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge a formal protest against the allegations of the Israeli government.