The first army to rush to Gaza was neither the Arab army nor the Iranian army, and the first army to rush to support the Gaza rescue mission was the Spanish army!
Unexpectedly, the first army to rush to Gaza was not an Arab brother or an ally of Iran, but Spain as far away as Europe! On September 24, the Spanish government suddenly announced that it would send a warship straight to the Mediterranean Sea to escort civilian ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and carry out rescue operations if necessary.
This decision, like a stone thrown into the lake of international opinion, stirred up a layer of confusion – after all, even the surrounding Arab countries were cautious at the moment of the escalation of the Israeli conflict and the profound humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Spain became the “first to eat crabs.”
Spanish warships did not appear out of thin air. This frigate named "Juan Bobon" was originally stationed near the Strait of Gibraltar to patrol, but now it has received completely different orders: to protect those civilian aid ships loaded with flour, medicine and fuel and ensure that they can safely approach the coast of Gaza.
The Spanish Ministry of Defense specifically stressed that the operation was limited to “humanitarian escort” and would not participate in any military conflict, but it was clear that the appearance of the Spanish warships itself was a gesture, a silent challenge to the blockade line in the context of Israel’s strict maritime blockade of Gaza.
Even more striking is the fact that the Spanish government has chosen to announce this news at the United Nations General Assembly at the sensitive node of the debate on the Pakistani issue.
The answer lies in the twists of history and reality.Spain has an indelible connection with the Arab world, and the Middle Ages Moors ruled the Iberian Peninsula for eight hundred years, leaving a profound cultural mark.
The contemporary Spanish society has had long-standing sympathy for Palestine, and civilian demonstrations in support of Palestine are rare. The current left-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Sanchez has repeatedly publicly criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza and even pushed the European Parliament to recognize the Palestinian state.
When hospitals in Gaza were shut down due to lack of fuel and children were on the verge of death due to malnutrition, the pressure on public opinion in Spain increased sharply and the government had to take action. Choosing warships to escort rather than simply donate money shows a more pragmatic strategy-money can buy supplies, but not a "safe passage" to Gaza.
Waves in the Mediterranean never blow to just one ship. Spain's move is like a domino, and subtle changes have begun to occur within the EU. Ireland and Belgium immediately expressed "great concern" and considered following up. Although Portugal did not commit to sending ships, it announced that it would double aid funds. However, Germany and France remained silent. These two core EU countries have always tried to balance their positions on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.
Even more complicated was the U.S. attitude, when the White House spokesman was asked to respond in a timely and vague manner to “respect the humanitarian efforts of all nations” but did not.Behind this silence, there was an increasingly apparent crackdown in the Western camp on the Israeli issue.When the Spanish warships flew to Gaza, it carried not only rescue supplies, but also a mirror, reflecting the differences and hesitations of the international community in the face of this humanitarian disaster.
Fantastic contrasts are playing out along the Gaza coastline at the moment. On one side is a civilian rescue ship escorted by Spanish warships, with the flag of the Red Cross flying on a white background; On the other side are Israeli naval patrol boats, ready to intercept at any time. According to United Nations data, more than 20,000 people have died in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, and nearly two million people are facing famine. However, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is less than one-third of the actual demand.
What can the Spanish warships change?It may not be possible to end the war immediately, but at least to tear off the blockade.When the Juan Bonaparte radar swept through the Mediterranean, it sent a clear signal that humanity should not be the victim of a political game.
And other countries that are still waiting to see, maybe they should ask themselves, who will be the next one to stand up? Where will the waves of the Mediterranean eventually lead?
Unexpectedly, the first army to rush to Gaza was not an Arab brother or an ally of Iran, but Spain as far away as Europe! On September 24, the Spanish government suddenly announced that it would send a warship straight to the Mediterranean Sea to escort civilian ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and carry out rescue operations if necessary.
This decision, like a stone thrown into the lake of international opinion, stirred up a layer of confusion – after all, even the surrounding Arab countries were cautious at the moment of the escalation of the Israeli conflict and the profound humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Spain became the “first to eat crabs.”
Spanish warships did not appear out of thin air. This frigate named "Juan Bobon" was originally stationed near the Strait of Gibraltar to patrol, but now it has received completely different orders: to protect those civilian aid ships loaded with flour, medicine and fuel and ensure that they can safely approach the coast of Gaza.
The Spanish Ministry of Defense specifically stressed that the operation was limited to “humanitarian escort” and would not participate in any military conflict, but it was clear that the appearance of the Spanish warships itself was a gesture, a silent challenge to the blockade line in the context of Israel’s strict maritime blockade of Gaza.
Even more striking is the fact that the Spanish government has chosen to announce this news at the United Nations General Assembly at the sensitive node of the debate on the Pakistani issue.
The answer lies in the twists of history and reality.Spain has an indelible connection with the Arab world, and the Middle Ages Moors ruled the Iberian Peninsula for eight hundred years, leaving a profound cultural mark.
The contemporary Spanish society has had long-standing sympathy for Palestine, and civilian demonstrations in support of Palestine are rare. The current left-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Sanchez has repeatedly publicly criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza and even pushed the European Parliament to recognize the Palestinian state.
When hospitals in Gaza were shut down due to lack of fuel and children were on the verge of death due to malnutrition, the pressure on public opinion in Spain increased sharply and the government had to take action. Choosing warships to escort rather than simply donate money shows a more pragmatic strategy-money can buy supplies, but not a "safe passage" to Gaza.
Waves in the Mediterranean never blow to just one ship. Spain's move is like a domino, and subtle changes have begun to occur within the EU. Ireland and Belgium immediately expressed "great concern" and considered following up. Although Portugal did not commit to sending ships, it announced that it would double aid funds. However, Germany and France remained silent. These two core EU countries have always tried to balance their positions on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.
Even more complicated was the U.S. attitude, when the White House spokesman was asked to respond in a timely and vague manner to “respect the humanitarian efforts of all nations” but did not.Behind this silence, there was an increasingly apparent crackdown in the Western camp on the Israeli issue.When the Spanish warships flew to Gaza, it carried not only rescue supplies, but also a mirror, reflecting the differences and hesitations of the international community in the face of this humanitarian disaster.
Fantastic contrasts are playing out along the Gaza coastline at the moment. On one side is a civilian rescue ship escorted by Spanish warships, with the flag of the Red Cross flying on a white background; On the other side are Israeli naval patrol boats, ready to intercept at any time. According to United Nations data, more than 20,000 people have died in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, and nearly two million people are facing famine. However, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is less than one-third of the actual demand.
What can the Spanish warships change?It may not be possible to end the war immediately, but at least to tear off the blockade.When the Juan Bonaparte radar swept through the Mediterranean, it sent a clear signal that humanity should not be the victim of a political game.
And other countries that are still waiting to see, maybe they should ask themselves, who will be the next one to stand up? Where will the waves of the Mediterranean eventually lead?