Luxembourg has said it will join raft of countries recognising State of Palestine at UN summit in New York next week
French President Emmanuel Macron is spearheading drive on recognising Palestinian state as international condemnation grows of Israel over its nearly two-year offensive in Gaza
Speaking to journalists late Monday, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden said that “situation on ground has deteriorated considerably in recent months”
“A movement is now emerging in Europe & around world to demonstrate that the two-state solution is still relevant”
Frieden said
“That is why Luxembourg government intends to join those who recognise State of Palestine at next week’s conference on two-state solution”
Countries including Britain, Australia, Canada & Belgium have said they plan to recognise Palestinian state at meeting at UN General Assembly
Israel & its ally US have blasted push, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Monday move “emboldened” Hamas
War in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures
Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 64,905 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from territory’s health ministry that UN considers reliable
UN investigators on Tuesday accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza in a bid to “destroy Palestinians”, blaming Israel’s prime minister & other top officials for incitement
