Club de Madrid expresses its deep concern over the intensification of the conflict in the Middle East. The ongoing military offensive in Gaza, coupled with recent Israeli attacks in Iran, has created a critical scenario that threatens to spill beyond its current borders and undermine both regional and global stability.
In Gaza, the civilian population continues to suffer from an unacceptable form of collective punishment: indiscriminate bombings, the destruction of homes and hospitals, forced displacement, and a humanitarian collapse of unprecedented scale. According to UN and health authorities, more than 55,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the offensive, including a growing number of indirect deaths. UN agencies (UNRWA and WFP) report that over 3,000 people have died from hunger and lack of access to basic supplies, and famine conditions are affecting large parts of the population.
International legal experts, UN Special Rapporteurs, and major human rights organisations have warned that these acts may constitute a genocide, as defined under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Club de Madrid joins this growing international consensus and affirms that the scale, systematic nature, and apparent intent of the acts committed against the population in Gaza amount to genocide. An immediate and sustained ceasefire is urgently needed, along with unrestricted humanitarian access and the restoration of essential services, including electricity, water, and medical assistance. The international community must act with determination to halt this ongoing atrocity crime and ensure full accountability.
The recent Israeli offensive targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, including Natanz and Fordow, marks a dangerous turning point. These actions not only exacerbate bilateral tensions but also raise the risk of nuclear implications in an already deeply destabilizing conflict. Club de Madrid condemns any violations of the principles of proportionality, distinction, and international legality, and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
Club de Madrid underscores the broader imperative of nuclear non-proliferation as a cornerstone of global security. Preventing the spread and potential use of nuclear weapons is an existential responsibility that transcends any one context. There is an urgent need to reactivate international mechanisms for supervision and verification, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) playing a central role, as well as to define a clear diplomatic roadmap that ensures transparency and compliance with international obligations.
Accordingly, Club de Madrid:
- Urges for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and termination of any acts of aggression between Israel and Iran;
- Reiterates the imperative to protect civilian populations in accordance with international humanitarian law;
- Calls on UN Member States for the strengthening of multilateral mechanisms for nuclear non-proliferation;
- Appeals to the international community to take decisive and coordinated action that combines diplomacy, political pressure, and humanitarian support to avoid further suffering and escalation of hostilities;
- Encourages key international actors to establish a clear timeline for ceasefire negotiations, humanitarian access, and verification of non-proliferation commitments.
Only through a political solution -grounded in respect for international law, accountability, and the effective implementation of the two-State solution- can we halt the worsening of a tragedy already unfolding and prevent even more irreversible consequences for the region and the international order.
