Sánchez confirms the kidnapping of Iván Illarramendi by Hamas and announces another 4 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza

MADRID, 17 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The acting President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed this Tuesday that the Spanish Iván Illarramendi is kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas, to whom he has asked for his immediate release, while announcing another 4 million euros of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.

Sánchez appeared in Moncloa in a statement without questions at the end of the extraordinary meeting of European leaders on the situation in the Middle East following the Hamas attack against Israel and the humanitarian crisis triggered by the Israeli bombings against the Gaza Strip.

In this sense, he has highlighted the importance of "the EU remaining well coordinated and united" and has reviewed the common position adopted by the Twenty-Seven in their statement this Sunday, which includes the "outright condemnation of the horrible terrorist attacks" in Hamas and for "the recognition of Israel's right to defend itself in strict respect for International Law and in particular International Humanitarian Law."

Likewise, it also includes the "demand for the immediate, unconditional release of all the hostages, including our compatriot Iván Illarramendi," he stressed, confirming for the first time that the Spaniard is in the hands of Hamas shortly after the Israeli Foreign Ministry I would have anticipated it by including the Spanish flag among the 42 countries that have kidnapped nationals.

Likewise, Sánchez added, the Twenty-Seven agree that "Israel must guarantee at all times the access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the protection of the civilian population" in this territory.

In this sense, he has announced that to the first package of one million euros for humanitarian aid announced last week, the Government will add another four million additional euros between now and the end of the year, so in 2023 aid for cooperation and Humanitarian aid to Palestine will rise to 21.5 million, almost 30% more than in 2022.