Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has removed Spain from the US‑led Civil‑Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat, accusing Madrid of repeated hostility and of defaming the Israeli military. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar backed the move, calling Spanish government statements "blood libels." The decision follows months of strained relations after Israel’s October 2023 campaign in Gaza and Spain’s recognition of Palestine; it risks further complicating efforts to monitor the ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu Removes Spain From US-Led Gaza Coordination Centre, Cites 'Hostility'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 19, 2026 [Ronen Zvulun, Pool Photo/AP]
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Spain’s representatives removed from the US‑led Civil‑Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, accusing Madrid of sustained diplomatic hostility toward Israel.
In a video statement posted on X on Friday, Netanyahu said Israel would not "remain silent in the face of those who attack us." He accused Spain of "defaming our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces], the soldiers of the most moral army in the world," and said he had instructed their removal from the coordination centre after repeated actions he described as standing against Israel.
"Spain has defamed our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF... Therefore, I have instructed today to remove Spain’s representatives from the coordination centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel."
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed Netanyahu’s criticism, accusing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government of leveling what Saar called "blood libels" against Israel and its military. In a post on X, Saar said Spain’s stance under Sánchez had rendered it unable to play a constructive role in implementing a US‑backed peace plan and in the work of the CMCC.
Ties between Madrid and Jerusalem have deteriorated since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. In 2024 Spain formally recognised the state of Palestine, and Sánchez’s left‑wing government has publicly criticised Israel’s conduct in the occupied territory. Madrid has also taken steps opposing some regional military actions and has reportedly closed its airspace to certain US military flights tied to recent operations.
The Civil‑Military Coordination Centre was established by the United States in October as a hub for military and diplomatic personnel to coordinate security and humanitarian issues in Gaza and to monitor a declared ceasefire. The facility is described by its proponents as part of a broader 20‑point plan to stabilize the enclave and facilitate humanitarian access.
Despite the declared ceasefire, attacks on Gaza have persisted at near‑daily levels according to multiple reports, and restrictions on the delivery of vital aid remain a major concern for humanitarian organisations operating in the enclave.
What Happens Next: Israel’s decision to bar Spain from the CMCC is likely to deepen diplomatic tensions between the two countries and could complicate multilateral efforts to monitor the ceasefire and coordinate humanitarian relief. Washington and other CMCC partners will face pressure to respond to the dispute while maintaining the centre’s operational role.
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