Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced on Tuesday that Belgium will officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York this September. In a post on X, the minister also confirmed Brussels’ intention to impose “strict sanctions” on the Israeli government, according to AFP.

The announcement comes amid ongoing escalation in the Palestinian territories and growing European criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Belgium’s decision ties the recognition directly to UN-level diplomatic actions, potentially increasing pressure within the European Union for similar moves.