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2h ago

Belgium Backs UN Recognition of Palestine as Flotilla Readies and Israel Escalates

A coordinated recognition push and a planned flotilla raise diplomatic stakes as Israel steps up operations and advances annexation proposals ahead of the UN session.

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Overview

  • Belgium confirmed it will recognize a Palestinian state at the September UN General Assembly, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also pledging severe sanctions on Israel’s government.
  • Israel intensified its campaign in Gaza, calling up roughly 60,000 reservists with plans focused on Gaza City, while the IDF said tens of thousands of residents have moved south in recent days.
  • Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan to apply Israeli sovereignty over about 82% of the West Bank, as authorities declared 45 hectares of land “state land,” drawing a warning from the UAE about jeopardizing the Abraham Accords.
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla is assembling to sail to Gaza, with Italy’s contingent now set to depart on September 7 and four Italian parliamentarians on board, as organizers seek state protection and report they expect possible Israeli detention; Spanish diplomatic protection has been reported for some participants.
  • Tensions widened with UNIFIL reporting IDF drones dropped grenades near peacekeepers in Lebanon and with Shin Bet saying it foiled a Hamas cell’s plot in the West Bank to attack Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir using explosive‑laden drones.