Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Sunday that Malta will officially recognize the State of Palestine next month, marking a historic shift in the country’s foreign policy and ending a 45-year national debate on the issue.

Speaking at a political event, Abela described the ongoing situation in Gaza as a worsening human tragedy and emphasized that Malta could no longer remain silent in the face of escalating suffering. "We cannot close our eyes to this human tragedy that is getting worse every day," Abela said, noting that over 50,000 people have been killed as a result of Israeli military actions.

The formal recognition is expected to take place following the international peace conference scheduled for June 20. According to Abela, the decision reflects Malta’s "moral responsibility" to stand on the side of justice and humanity, especially amid the growing humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The move aligns Malta with a growing number of European nations calling for a two-state solution and increased international pressure to end the violence in Gaza. Abela's comments also echoed broader calls for a permanent ceasefire and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.

Observers see Malta’s recognition as both a symbolic and political gesture that could further influence international discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly within the European Union. (ILKHA)