Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem denounce Israel in letter

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are wading into the heated conflict between Israel and Hamas, describing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide."

The two married actors joined their longtime friend, director Pedro Almodovar, and dozens of Spanish film stars, directors, musicians and writers, in denouncing Israel's incursion into Gaza in an open letter. In the letter, referenced by Europa Press and The Hollywood Reporter, the entertainers demanded a cease-fire by the Israeli military.

The letter reads: "Gaza is living through horror these days, besieged and attacked by land, sea and air. Palestinians' homes are being destroyed, they are being denied water, electricity [and] free movement to their hospitals, schools and fields while the international community does nothing." Signatories also blamed the current hostilities squarely on Israel, saying that "Israel keeps advancing and invading Palestinian territories instead of withdrawing to the [19]67 borders." Bardem is a known political activist, notes THR, often wading into hot-water topics. Several other U.S. entertainers, including Rihanna and Selena Gomez, have weighed in on the conflict on social media, as well.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has put the overall Gaza death toll at 1,115, many of them civilians and children. Israel has lost 53 soldiers, including four killed Monday in a mortar attack in southern Israel, along with two civilians and a Thai national, according to the Israeli military. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel won't end its offensive until Hamas' network of hundreds of tunnels under the Gaza-Israel border has been neutralized.