A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday over Spain's measures limiting access to Spanish ports and airspace to ships and planes carrying weapons for Israel. "It is deeply concerning that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit U.S. operations and to turn its back on Israel on the same day six individuals were killed in Jerusalem. These measures embolden terrorists," the spokesperson said in an email sent to Reuters on Wednesday.
The U.S. operates two military bases in southern Spain, in Moron, and on the southern coast Atlantic coast in Rota. The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spain's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On top of its ban on ships and aircraft delivering weapons or military-grade jet fuel to Israel, Madrid said it would not allow anyone who has participated directly in "genocide" in Gaza to enter Spain.
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares later said the ban would extend to Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Israel has strongly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and is fighting a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over accusations of genocide. In reaction to Sanchez's announcement on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the Spanish leader of "antisemitism" and attempting to divert attention from domestic corruption scandals.
He also announced a ban on Sanchez's deputy, Yolanda Diaz, and Youth Minister Sira Rego entering Israel. Both belong to hard-left party Sumar, the junior partner in Sanchez's coalition government. As the diplomatic row escalated, Spain summoned its ambassador in Israel back for consultations late on Monday.
Israel struck the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Wednesday, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said, in an attack that witnesses said targeted the Houthi defence ministry. Israeli media said Israel was carrying out strikes on Yemen but there was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Sanaa residents told Reuters the attack was on a hideout between two mountains that is used as a command and control headquarters. The extent of any damage was not immediately clear.
Israeli army radio said that among the targets of the attack were the Houthi headquarters and military camps. The strikes are the latest in more than a year of attacks and counterstrikes between Israel and Houthi militants in Yemen, part of a spillover from the war in Gaza. The Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked vessels in the Red Sea in what they describe as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. They have also fired missiles towards Israel, most of which have been intercepted. Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the vital Hodeidah port.