GENEVA

Belgium missed a "historic opportunity" on Wednesday by not joining three other European countries in recognizing the Palestinian state, the country's development minister said.

"Unfortunately, no Belgian recognition of the Palestinian state today. Belgium continues to work on timing and context to achieve recognition," Caroline Gennez said on X.

"However, the urgency is very great," Gennez said, adding: "Today we are missing a historic opportunity."

Her remarks came after Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would recognize Palestine as a state as of May 28.

The announcements by the three European countries come as Israel continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the besieged enclave.

Palestine is already recognized by eight European countries: Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Sweden, and the Greek Cypriot administration.

Over 35,700 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 80,000 others injured since last October following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered it to ensure that its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.