Spain's prime minister stands by comments and reiterates need for permanent ceasefire

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday defended comments he made about the Israeli offensive in Gaza which angered Israel, saying "it was a question of being humane", AFP reported.

During his visit to the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Friday with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Sanchez said the "indiscriminate killings of innocent civilians" in the Palestinian territory was "completely unacceptable".

He reiterated calls for a permanent ceasefire and denounced the destruction of Gaza as "unacceptable".

In turn, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the ambassador of Spain for a "harsh rebuke" and accused him of "supporting terrorism".