More Western countries set to recognise Palestine amid Gaza famine

Malta became the latest European country to announce its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, set to take place during the General Assembly of the United Nations in September.

Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela made the announcement hours after his British counterpart Keir Starmer said the UK would do the same, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in the devastated and famished Gaza Strip, among other stipulations.

In a Facebook post, Abela said: "Our position reflects our commitment to efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East."

In May, Valetta announced its intentions to recognise the State of Palestine. Abela said: "We cannot close our eyes to this human tragedy that is getting worse every day."

Following a flurry of EU states such as Spain, Ireland and Slovenia recognising Palestine in response to Israel’s brutality in the Gaza Strip last year, Malta was among the nations expected to follow suit.

The small Mediterranean island has traditionally held good relations with the Palestinian leadership following its independence from the UK in 1964. Its residents have frequently held pro-Palestinian protests against the war on Gaza, which has killed more than 60,000 people.

The Maltese government has also banned an Israel-bound vessel from entering its waters over fears that the ship’s cargo would be used in the war.

The Maltese and UK announcements came days after President Emmanuel Macron said Frande would do the same last week, in a Paris-Riyadh-led push at the EU.

The tiny duchy of Luxembourg could also join the number of European countries formally acknowledging Palestine in September, according to local media.

Speaking from New York, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said the duchy was considering a similar move, but said recognition of Palestine "isn’t an act against Israel" as "security in Israel depends on peace in the Palestinian territories".

Bettel’s comments, however, have been criticised by Luxembourg’s left-wing opposition, who said: "While we welcome this change," this initiative should’ve taken place "a long time ago". Bettel, who also serves as deputy prime minister, is a member of the centre to centre-right Democratic Party.

On Wednesday, France and 14 other Western nations published a joint appeal, urging international recognition of Palestine, following a UN conference on reviving such talks.

"In New York, together with 14 other countries, France is issuing a collective appeal: we express our desire to recognise the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X.

Among the signatories include the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Portugal, Andorra and San Marino, all of whom have not yet recognised a Palestinian state, according to Haaretz.

The talks, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia, are set to conclude on Wednesday.

During the conference on Tuesday, Riyadh, alongside Qatar and Egypt, called for the Palestinian group Hamas to disarm and relinquish its governance of the Gaza Strip, as a condition to make way for "an independent and sovereign Palestinian State". European nations have demanded the same from the Palestinian group in exchange for recognition.

Toddler dies in Gaza as man-made famine plagues enclave

Famine and severe malnutrition levels continue to grip the Gaza Strip. Late on Tuesday, medical staff from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza announced the death of yet another Palestinian infant from starvation.

One-year-old Makkah al-Gharabli died due to a severe lack of therapeutic milk. Israel's siege on the enclave, which has been ongoing since March, has prohibited the entry of life-saving food, water and medicine. 

Her father, Salah, said he tried to feed her alternatives such as lentils or potatoes, but was not successful, according to TRT Arabi.

He said such milk has been unavailable for months in the Gaza Strip, and even if available, it was sold at exorbitant prices that he couldn’t afford.

The hunger crisis in Gaza has triggered outrage globally. The World Food Programme (WFP) said Gaza is facing a grave risk of famine, calling it a "present catastrophe".

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