Portugal formally recognizes Palestine as independent state, following UK, Canada, and Australia. Palestinian authorities welcome move. Yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Palestine state will never form.
Gaza faces fresh Israeli airstrikes killing 68 Palestinians, including 37 in Gaza City.
Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel calls two-state solution just and only path to lasting peace. He urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Palestinian leaders describe recognitions from UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal as milestone. Fatah’s Mohammad Shtayyeh attributes success to Mahmoud Abbas’s major diplomatic efforts.
Another top Palestinian leader views it as historic shift establishing Gaza residents’ rights. He calls on international community to halt Israel’s war.
On recognition, occupying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states Palestine state won’t form. He tells recognizing countries they reward terrorism greatly, which won’t happen. Netanyahu boasts doubling Jewish settlements in West Bank under his leadership.
