Malta to recognise Palestine as state next month, says PM Abela

Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Sunday that Malta will recognize the State of Palestine next month.

The announcement came during a political event in which Abela raised local and global matters, with a particular focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to Malta Today.

"We cannot close our eyes to this human tragedy that is getting worse every day," Abela was quoted by the newspaper as saying about Israel's brutal bombardment of Gaza, which killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children.

Abela said the move is a moral responsibility and that Palestine will be recognized following a conference on June 20.

The premier was also shocked by the tragic deaths of nine children of Palestinian pediatrician Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar on Saturday when Israeli forces bombed their home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, critically injuring her doctor husband and leaving only one of their children to mourn.

Malta is ready to welcome Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar and her family to the country, Abela said.

Israel's war on Gaza

Israel's atrocities have displaced around 90% of Gaza’s estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.