Belgium will join Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom in recognizing a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly next week, the country’s foreign minister announced Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot posted Tuesday on X that Belgium would recognize a Palestinian state in response to the violence committed by Israel in Gaza, which he said is in “violation of international law.”

“Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and the terrorists of Hamas,” Mr. Prevot posted. “This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people, but about ensuring that international and humanitarian law is respected by its government and acting in the hope of evolving the situation on the ground.”

Mr. Prevot also announced that Belgium would levy 12 “strong sanctions” on Israel, including an import ban on products originating from West Bank settlements, restrictions on consular assistance to Belgians in the West Bank and listing Hamas leaders, “extremist” Israeli ministers and some settlers as “persona non gratae” in Belgium.

Belgium will join the signatories of the New York Declaration, which encourages other nations to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state in Gaza and the West Bank that would exist alongside the state of Israel. 

The recognition will be formalized only after the Palestinian militant group Hamas relinquishes control of Gaza and releases all of its hostages.  

Western nations’ announcement of support for a Palestinian state is the latest example of the growing pressure Israel faces over its war in Gaza. Israeli officials have openly clashed with international leaders over the decision, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that Australian leader Anthony Albanese had “tarnished” his legacy.

Israel has been at war with Hamas over control of Gaza for nearly two years following the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages. At least 48 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in Gaza.

Since the start of the conflict, Israel has faced severe criticism for its conduct in Gaza, with some in the international community accusing Israel of breaking international law. The Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry reports that the death toll in Gaza has reached more than 63,000 since the start of the war, with recent reports suggesting many may have been civilians.

The Israeli military has heavily disputed the Gaza Health Ministry’s figures and has rejected claims that it is intentionally targeting civilians.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.