UAE extends lifeline to Gaza’s health sector; Canada and Malta to recognise Palestine

The UAE, through its humanitarian efforts and relief aid under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, has managed to keep the Gaza Strip’s health sector operational, averting total collapse and ensuring continued medical services for the Palestinian people.

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Canada and Malta announced they will recognise the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Canada plans to recognise the State of Palestine at a meeting of the United Nations in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced, ratcheting up pressure on Israel as starvation spreads in Gaza.

Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela earlier announced the decision by his country to recognise a Palestinian state on Facebook, saying it is part of the nation’s efforts “for a lasting peace in the Middle East.” Later during the day, Portugal said it was “considering recognition of the Palestinian state.”

Portugal “is considering recognition of the Palestinian state, as part of a procedure that could be concluded during the high-level week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York in September,” Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's office said in a statement.

The announcement came after France said last week it would recognise a Palestinian state and a day after Britain said it would recognise the state at September's UN General Assembly meeting if the fighting in Gaza, part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, had not stopped by then.

Jassem Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), welcomed the announcement by Carney, Abela, and Montenegro regarding their countries’ intention to recognise the State of Palestine in September.