Belgium recognises the State of Palestine

Belgium has joined a group of countries moving to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN session.

PM Bart De Wever said that while Belgium was giving out a strong political signal, diplomatic relations with the new State of Palestine would only be established granted the full demilitarisation of Hamas and following democratic presidential and parliamentary elections.

So far there have been six countries that have formally recognised Palestinian statehood at the summit happening now in New York City:

• France
• Andorra
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the decision was prompted by the worsening situation on the ground in Gaza. “It is clearly the moment to stand by the Palestinian people and recognise the state as a strong political sign,” Prevot said.

However, Belgium’s recognition of statehood comes with several preconditions, including reforming the Palestinian Authority and substituting its leadership.

Prevot also said that statehood would only be formally recognised by royal decree when all captives held by Hamas are released.


Qatar says recognising Palestine comes as Israel’s ‘aggression’ escalating

Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan al-Muraikhi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has stressed the importance of establishing “Palestinian statehood with sovereignty”.

Speaking in New York City at the summit on Palestinian recognition, al-Muraikhi said the meeting was happening in the “historic context of decades of injustice” due to the occupation of Palestinian land, alongside Israel’s “escalatory aggression” in the region.

“My country, our capital Doha, has been subjected to a treacherous Israeli aggression that violated its territorial integrity, led to the killing of six martyrs and put the entire region to the brink of danger,” he said.

UN expert says recognition of Palestine carries legal significance

UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said recognition of Palestine carries real weight, as it solidifies the territory’s rights under international law.

“As more Western states join the world majority in recognising the State of Palestine, it must be clear that recognition increases the obligation to actively respect Palestine’s rights to non-interference, territorial integrity, self-defence from illegal occupation, end of genocide,” she wrote on X.

Albanese has long been condemned of Israel’s occupation of Palestine. In June 2025, the UN published her report stating that the genocide in Gaza was continuing because it is lucrative for 48 business corporations, including Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon.

Main events on September 22nd

• France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco become latest countries to recognise State of Palestine.
• At a conference to discuss two-state solution, France’s President Macron said: “We have gathered here because the time has come”.
• Palestinian President Abbas says Hamas will have no role in governance of Gaza and asked the group to hand over its wepaons to the Palestinian Authority.
• At least 37 people were killed across Gaza by the Israeli army.
• Gaza’s Health Ministry says al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital and the St John Eye Hospital in Gaza City are out of service due to Israeli bombing of their surrounding areas.
• Israel’s Foreign Ministry has threatened a Gaza-bound flotilla that is carrying aid and trying to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory, warning that it will “not allow the naval blockade of Gaza to be breached”.
• Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a video of Israeli captive Alon Ohel, who has been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Trump, Netanyahu dumped by allies in Europe, Middle East as Palestine recognised

The UK, France, Canada and Australia have finally recognised the State of Palestine evoking angry reactions from Israeli politicians and supporters. But the move means that four out of five permanent members of the UN Security Council have now recognised Palestine, leaving the US isolated. This follows the recent attack on Qatar by Israel, a development that already pushed Middle Eastern countries away from the US. Rifat Jawaid examines what the recognition of Palestine and earlier attack on Qatar mean for both Israel and the US in the region and globally.

Netanyahu Just BLACKMAILED The West - His INSANE Response To Palestine Recognition

Israeli air raids surge in Gaza City, leaving dozens trapped under rubble

Military operations are intensifying, in particular in Gaza City, in recent hours. We documented a deadly surge of Israeli air raids.

From Nuseirat, we can see huge plumes of smoke from destroyed areas in Gaza City – in Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood and the Shati refugee camp.

Three homes were hit by Israeli attacks in the Shati refugee camp – there are still dozens of people stuck under the rubble of these buildings, as Civil Defence members are unable to retrieve their bodies.

The pace of the military operation is escalating. Israeli troops are advancing slowly, cautiously and under the cover of fire of the Israeli infantry, fighter jets, drones and quadcopters.

There are people still stuck in Gaza City. They don’t have the resources to cover the cost of transport to travel south, and nowhere to go.

_{Palestinian man Mohammed Sukar carries the body of his niece, Layan Sukar, four, who was killed in an Israeli attack on houses at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, September 23}


Israeli army announces killing of soldier in northern Gaza

The military has said soldier Netanel Bozaglo, 27, was killed while fighting in northern Gaza.

According to a tally compiled by the army, this brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the war, including in the Hamas-led October 7 attack, to 911.

Twelve UNRWA facilities hit in Gaza City in latest Israeli attacks

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, says 12 of its premises in Gaza City, including nine schools and two health centres, were hit by direct or indirect Israeli strikes over six days earlier this month.

The attacks, detailed in its latest report on developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank during the week beginning September 11, left at least five displaced Palestinians injured.

The report paints a bleak picture of deteriorating conditions in Gaza amid Israel’s war, with increasing attacks, displacement and malnutrition.

It noted that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had said about half of the nearly 250,000 displacement movements recorded since mid-August had occurred during the week in question, with growing reports of families sleeping on the streets or in makeshift tents.

About 28,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children less than five years old had been recorded in July and August, exceeding the total number of malnutrition cases in the first half of the year, the report said.

More than 1,700 healthcare workers killed in Gaza since war began: Ministry official

Israeli forces have attacked 38 hospitals since October 2023, killing at least 1,723 healthcare workers, according to Munir al-Bursh, the director general of the Strip’s Health Ministry.

He told our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic that the St John Eye Hospital, the al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital and the Sheikh Hamad Hospital in Gaza City are now out of service.

He warned that Israel’s blockade on aid entering the Strip, including fuel, will cause a “major disaster”, with hospitals at risk of shutting down in 48 hours if no petrol is allowed in.

Patients face ‘certain death’ as Gaza hospitals running out of fuel: Ministry

Gaza’s Health Ministry warns hospitals in the besieged territory are “entering an extremely dangerous phase” due to fuel shortages.

“A few days may bring scenes of vital departments stopping work, meaning the health crisis will worsen and expose the lives of patients and the wounded to certain death,” it said in a statement published on Telegram.

“Technical and engineering procedures for scheduling operating periods have become ineffective with the cessation of fuel supplies,” it added, appealing to all concerned parties to intervene “to avoid a disaster with unpredictable results”.

Three more children starve to death in Gaza: Medical source

Three children have died from malnutrition in southern Gaza, a source at the Nasser Medical Complex has told Al Jazeera.

News of the latest starvation deaths comes as sources in hospitals across Gaza say 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the territory since dawn, including 18 in Gaza City alone.

Witnesses report Israeli military advancement in south of Gaza City

We are witnessing an intensification of Israel’s ground operations, accompanied by relentless Israeli bombardment, targeting in particular northwestern Gaza, where a number of residential buildings were hit in a refugee camp, forcing hundreds of Palestinians to flee.

The Israeli troops are stationed in northwestern, northeastern and southern Gaza City. Witnesses reported that the ground forces stationed in the south of the city have advanced towards the Ministry of Detainees near the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood.

The situation on the ground is getting much more dire. Two images define the situation: the mass displacement of families from Gaza City to the southern parts of the Gaza Strip and the relentless bombardment carried out by the Israeli military.I spoke to some families this morning, and they said they decided to remain in the city because they cannot afford the high costs of relocation and given the fact that they have no place to run to due to the overcrowding in the south.

I spoke to some families this morning, and they said they decided to remain in the city because they cannot afford the high costs of relocation and given the fact that they have no place to run to due to the overcrowding in the south.


_{A displaced Palestinian woman with a child rests by the roadside in central Gaza after Israeli orders to leave Gaza City}

Gaza fuel crisis forces residents to turn to toxic alternatives

A crippling fuel crisis caused by Israel’s blockade has gripped Gaza. This means that many are left with no choice other than covering long distances on foot. Others are seeking alternatives.

Young men gather piles of plastic waste and burn it to produce a few litres of a fuel substitute.

“We started this project because of the ongoing fuel crisis. There are almost no fuel deliveries. We collect plastic from the streets and burn it to make fuel to power cars and trucks,” Arafat Juneed, a makeshift refinery owner, told Al Jazeera.

But the practice produces thick smoke full of toxic chemicals. Despite the health danger, demand for fuel far exceeds production as Israeli troops press deeper inside Gaza City, forcing civilians to evacuate towards the south.

“These days, the price of one litre of real fuel is nearly 150 US dollars. I can’t afford that, so I use this alternative fuel, made here. It’s not ideal, but it helps for the time being. And it’s not cheap, either. One litre of this costs 45 US dollars,” said driver Mahmoud Samour.

Israel destroys Gaza City’s main health centre, injures 2 medics

At least two medical workers have been injured in Israeli shelling that destroyed the main medical centre in Gaza City, according to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, a medical charity, Wafa reported.

The report said Israeli forces prevented crews from evacuating equipment and supplies, adding that the centre provided vital services, including treating the wounded, cancer patients, as well as handling blood donations.

The charity said the troops are besieging another centre in the city’s Tal al-Hawa area and have destroyed another clinic in the Shati refugee camp.

Footage shows Israeli tank in Gaza City

Footage shared on Instagram and verified by Al Jazeera shows an Israeli tank in Gaza City’s Nassr neighbourhood, about 1km (0.6 miles) away from al-Shifa Hospital.

The footage shows the tank turret rotating and pointing its barrel towards the cameraperson. A gunshot is also heard.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO8CYssjMMF

EU states united on need for two-state solution, stopping war: European Council chief

Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, says while not every one of its 27 members recognises a Palestinian state, all are committed to a two-state solution and ending the war in Gaza.

Speaking to Al Jazeera at the United Nations in New York, Costa said the latest moves by France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco meant “the majority” of its members now recognised Palestine.

“Some of them believe it’s not yet the right moment to recognise Palestine,” he said. “But all of them are supporting the project and the idea of the two-state solution.”

What was most important, he said, is that “everyone is engaged to stop this war. This is time to stop this massacre,” he said. “It’s very important for Israel to understand they are losing friends around the world.”

Israel is committing genocide. Telling them they're not good friends anymore is not enough to stop the genocide.

Trump views Palestine recognition as ‘reward to Hamas’: White House

US President Donald Trump views the moves by a number of Western countries to recognise a Palestinian state as a “reward to Hamas”, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt says.

Speaking to reporters, Leavitt said Trump did not agree with the decision.

“He feels this does not do anything to release the hostages which is the primary goal right now in Gaza, does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close,” said Leavitt.

She added: “Frankly, he believes it’s a reward to Hamas … He believes these decisions are just more talk and not enough action from some of our friends and allies.”

The primary goal is to end the genocide. Stop your blatant racism by putting the lives of 20 hostages / PoWs over the lives of 2 million innocent civilians, half of whom are children slowly dying of malnutrition, over 50,000 children already killed or injured.

Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians in occupied West Bank

Since dawn today, Israeli forces have raided villages and towns in the occupied West Bank. Here is what the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA) has reported:

Israeli police arrest protesters demanding return of captives outside education minister’s home

Israeli police have clashed with protesters demanding the release of captives held in Gaza, during a demonstration outside the home of Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch.

Dozens of people gathered outside Kisch’s home in the central Israeli city of Hod HaSharon before police began forcibly arresting the protesters, some of whom were banging drums and chanting through megaphones.

Footage from the scene showed one demonstrator with blood on his face and neck.

Protesters have been demonstrating outside the homes of government ministers to demand a deal for the return of the captives, saying Israel’s intensified offensive on Gaza endangers their lives.

Former UN humanitarian chief urges action after Palestinian statehood recognition

Martin Griffiths, former UN humanitarian chief, says several countries’ recognition of Palestinian statehood within UN premises was important, yet more needs to be done.

“The huge majority of member states of the United Nations supported this long-delayed but necessary recognition of the Palestinian state, but now the hard work starts,” he told Al Jazeera.

“We will be watching very carefully if those governments and the General Assembly move to action instead of these words – and that will be a test to the UN’s credibility,” Griffiths said.

“The UN has as its primary funding purpose ensuring peace and security – now [that] the UN Security Council is not doing that, it’s moral for the UN General Assembly.”

Palestine recognition ‘testament to perseverance’ of Palestinians

As world leaders gathered at the UN yesterday to emphasise the need for a Palestinian state, dozens of protesters in New York City banged on pots to underscore the deadly hunger in Gaza.

Maamoun Hussein, one of the demonstrators, said the growing international recognition of the state of Palestine is a positive step, but it must be followed by a meaningful push to end Israeli abuses in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

“It’s a testament to the perseverance of the Palestinian people for over 78 years of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” Hussein told Al Jazeera.

“But these countries have the power to do an arms embargo. They have the power to put pressure on Israel. Instead, all the Arab countries now are at risk. The entire world is at risk because they’re changing the entire legal system to suit Israel, which is a terrorist, genocidal state,” he said.

France’s Macron called Trump to get around his NY motorcade

French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday called Trump after being stopped at a street blocked off for his US counterpart’s motorcade during their visits to New York City for the UNGA, according to footage from French digital media company Brut.

Macron, who was stopped by a New York Police Department officer, expressed frustration over the disruption. “If you don’t see it, let me cross,” Macron told the officer, who apologised and explained why the street was blocked off.

Footage also captured Macron on the phone with Trump, saying, “Guess what? I’m waiting in the street because everything is closed for you.”

The French president, who yesterday announced his country’s recognition of a Palestinian state, eventually was able to cross but had to walk to his destination for about 30 minutes, stopping along the way to take photographs with passers-by and even being kissed on the forehead by one man.

US says dismantles possible telecom network threat to UNGA

The US Secret Service has issued a statement saying it had dismantled a network of more than 100,000 SIM cards that could have crashed New York’s telecommunications network before the UNGA meeting.

“In addition to carrying out anonymous telephonic threats, these devices could be used to conduct a wide range of telecommunications attacks,” it said.

“This includes disabling cellphone towers, enabling denial of services attacks and facilitating anonymous, encrypted communication between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises.”

Images shared by the agency online showed dozens of SIM cards connected to telecommunications equipment.

The agency said the devices it had seized were located within a 56km (35-mile) radius of the UNGA. It added that while forensic examination of the devices and a broader investigation were ongoing, “early analysis indicates cellular communications between nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement.

“Given the timing, location and potential for significant disruption to New York telecommunications posed by these devices, the agency moved quickly to disrupt this network.”

The Secret Service dismantled a network of more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards in the New York-area that were capable of crippling telecom systems and carrying out anonymous telephonic attacks, disrupting the threat before world leaders arrived for the UN General… pic.twitter.com/sZKUeGqvGY

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) September 23, 2025