Spain’s Attorney General Authorizes Investigation into Israeli Crimes in Gaza

September 18, 2025 News
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. (Photo: Frederic Esteve, Supplied)

The investigation“aims to collect and preserve evidence of possible violations of international human rights law.”

​​Spain’s attorney general has authorized an investigation into possible crimes being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports.

According to the decree, first reported by Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER, the probe will examine whether Israeli actions in Gaza amount to serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday.

A report by Catalan News stated that Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz has ordered an investigation “into whether genocide is taking place in Gaza.”

June Report to National Police

The proceedings were initiated at the request of Dolores Delgado, the Chief Prosecutor for Human Rights and Democratic Memory, “following her review of a report submitted in June by Spain’s National Police,” the report stated.

Delgado’s report, it added, “outlines facts that may constitute crimes against the international community committed by the Israeli army in Gaza.”

The People’s Push: How Grassroots Solidarity Reshaped Spain’s Foreign Policy

The investigation, the report noted, “aims to collect and preserve evidence of possible violations of international human rights law, ensuring it is available to the appropriate authorities.”

The results will be communicated to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Violations of International Law

Before opening the inquiry, Spanish police collected testimony and other evidence. Investigators said the material points to serious violations of international law.

The decree stressed the importance of collecting evidence in Spain, saying it could support international cooperation “so that in the future it can be properly used as incriminating proof of the crimes committed.”

A Landmark UN Report on Gaza Genocide: Professor Triestino Mariniello Explains

The attorney general’s office also cited Spain’s obligations under the Genocide Convention and its June 2024 intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.

Spanish law allows courts to hear cases on genocide and crimes against humanity committed abroad if suspects are Spanish citizens, residents in Spain, or foreigners present in Spain whose extradition has been denied, according to the report.

Sanctions Package Announced

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a sweeping nine-point sanctions package against Israel, including an arms embargo, port and air restrictions, entry bans on Israeli officials, and increased aid to Gaza, drawing sharp condemnation from Tel Aviv.

‘Reducing to Zero’: Spain Cancels €700m Arms Deal with Israel’s Elbit Systems

On Monday, it was reported that Spain had canceled a €700m ($820 million) deal to purchase artillery systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems, the second defense contract to be scrapped. The cancellation follows the Spanish Defense Ministry’s decision in June to suspend another deal to purchase Spike LR 2 anti-tank missiles from Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems worth $310 million.

In May last year, Spain officially recognized the state of Palestine.

Ongoing Genocide

Since reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, Israel has continued its bloody aerial bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands of Palestinians.

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 65,000 Palestinians, with more than 165,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.

‘Sustained Support’: Amnesty Names 15 Companies Enabling Gaza Genocide 

In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(PC, Anadolu)

Related Articles