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Israel bars Spanish presence at Gaza ceasefire HQ in Kiryat Gat

10 April 2026 15:28 (UTC +04:00)

Citing Spain’s “anti-Israel obsession” and its policies during the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announces that Spain will not be allowed to participate in the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, The Times of Israel reports.

The CMCC is the multi-national center overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.

“The Sánchez government has such a blatant anti-Israeli bias that it has lost any ability to serve as a useful actor in implementing President Trump’s peace plan and in the CMCC center operating within the framework of the plan,” says Sa’ar.

The CMCC is the multi-national center overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.

Spain has been formally notified of the decision, says the Foreign Ministry, adding that the US was informed in advance as well.

Many European countries, including Spain, have a small military presence at the CMCC.

The move marks the latest escalation in a diplomatic spat between the two countries, whose relations have been heavily strained since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Ties between Jerusalem and Madrid steadily deteriorated over the following two years as Spain’s government expressed increasing anger and frustration against Israel over the war in Gaza.

Madrid had prohibited sales and purchases of military equipment with Israel from the start of the war; however, last September, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced measures to enshrine the prohibition in law. Sa’ar criticized Spain as leading “a hostile, anti-Israel line,” after which Madrid also recalled its ambassador.

Last month, Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel. It sent its ambassador back to Iran this week.

During the war with Iran, Spain closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases.