 "FILE - Palestinians storm rucks loaded with humanitarian aid brought in through a new U.S.-built pier, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday, May 18, 2024.-AP")
Armenia would recognise a Palestinian state on Friday, a ministry statement said, adding that the country supports a United Nations resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza and is in favour of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The decision prompted Israel to summon its ambassador for what the Foreign Ministry described as a “severe reprimand.”
Dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, though none of the major Western powers has done so. Palestinians believe the recognitions confer international legitimacy on their struggle, especially as Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its ninth month, faces growing international criticism over the campaign of systematic destruction in Gaza and huge cost in civilian lives.
Also Friday, the head of a major hospital in north Gaza said his staff have seen some 250 children suffering from malnutrition, with numbers rising daily due to acute food shortages.
Palestinians face widespread hunger as the war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and basic goods to Gaza, which is now totally dependent on aid.
Türkiye welcomed Armenia’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine, said the country’s Foreign Ministry in a statement.
“We welcome Armenia’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine, following countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia,” it said in a statement, adding that the recognition of the Palestinian state is a must for international law, justice, and conscience.
Meanwhile, Israel’s pledge to guard a new aid route into southern Gaza has fallen flat, as the U.N. and international aid organizations say a breakdown in law and order has made that route unusable.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe Israeli military said that two soldiers were killed in combat in central Gaza, while three were severely injured.
Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 37,100 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.
Israel launched the war after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducted about 250.
With inputs from agencies.