Ireland, Norway and Spain have announced that they will formally recognize a Palestinian state from May 28.
Spain and Ireland stated that the decision was neither against Israel nor in favor of Hamas, but in support of peace.
Israel reacted angrily, warning that the move would mean more instability in the region and recalling its ambassadors to the three countries.
Both Hamas and its rival, the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the recognition.
Norway was the first to make its announcement on Wednesday, in a movement coordinated with the other two countries.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a speech that the move was “in support of moderate forces who are on a retreating front in a protracted and cruel conflict.”
“This is an investment in the only solution that can bring lasting peace in the Middle East,” he added, referring to the so-called “two-state solution”, which would see an Israeli state and a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully.
Ireland and Spain followed suit soon after.
“Today, we clearly declare our unequivocal support for the equal right to security, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli people,” said Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin.
The country’s Prime Minister, Simon Harris, later stressed that “Hamas is not the Palestinian people”.
“Today’s decision to recognize Palestine is made to help create a peaceful future,” he said.
Harris’ comments were echoed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said the measure “is not against Israel, it is not against the Jews.”
“It is not in favor of Hamas, as was said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favor of peace and coexistence”.
Israel reacted to the announcements with fury. foreign minister Israel Katz said he ordered the immediate return of Israeli ambassadors to the three countries for “consultations.”
“Israel will not resolve this quietly – there will be other serious consequences,” he said.
He also said that the ambassadors of the three countries in Israel will be summoned for “reprimanding talks”, during which a video of the abduction of female Israeli soldiers on October 7 will be shown.
Hamas, which controls Gaza and is currently at war with Israelsaid Wednesday’s announcements would be a “turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue.”
In a statement to AFP, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, said the “courageous resistance” of the Palestinian people was behind the measure.
Hamas rival the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank – said Norway, Spain and Ireland had demonstrated their “unwavering commitment” to “delivering long-awaited justice to the Palestinian people.” .
The issue of Palestinian statehood has troubled the international community for decades.
Since the October 7 attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has redoubled his opposition to such a plan, saying that the creation of a Palestinian state would compromise Israel’s security.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a social media post on Tuesday that recognizing a Palestinian state would lead to more “terrorism, instability in the region and compromise any prospects for peace.”
Around 1,200 people were killed in the unprecedented attacks on October 7, when Hamas gunmen invaded Israel. They took another 252 people back to Gaza as hostages.
Since then, more than 35,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the Israeli offensive on Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
Most of the world already recognizes Palestine as a state. Earlier this month, 143 of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of Palestine joining the UN, something only states can do.
Before Wednesday’s announcements, only nine European countries supported the creation of a Palestinian state and most of them made the decision in 1988, when they were part of the Soviet bloc.
Most other European countries, and the US, still believe that recognition should only occur as part of a long-term two-state solution to the conflict.
Slovenia and Malta also recently said they were considering formal recognition.
Norway’s prime minister also said on Wednesday that he hopes the recognition of Palestinian statehood by the three countries will bring renewed momentum to peace talks.
Long-running negotiations in Cairo aimed at securing a truce and further hostage releases are currently at a standstill.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Earlier this week, the UN said food distribution in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, has been suspended due to lack of supplies and insecurity.
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, for war crimes. Both Israel and Hamas condemned the measure.
Israel says an offensive on Rafah is needed to eliminate Hamas, but the international community has warned against it, saying it will greatly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
