GAZA, Palestine - A senior Hamas official said Wednesday it was the "brave resistance" of the Palestinian people that spurred three European countries in quick succession - Norway, Ireland and Spain - to recognise a State of Palestine.
"These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people," Bassem Naim told AFP.
The senior Hamas political bureau member said they believed this could be a turning point in the international position on the issue of Palestine and Palestinians.
Today, three European countries - Norway, Ireland and Spain, announced that they will recognise a Palestinian state, prompting Israel to immediately recall its envoys.
Ireland's leader said his nation would recognise Palestine as a state but did not specify timing, while leaders of Norway and Spain said their nations would do so as of May 28.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store made the announcement in Oslo, Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in Dublin.
Israel immediately announced it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway for "urgent consultations".
Israel argued that this move by the three states amounts to "rewarding terrorism" following the October 7 offensive by Hamas' armed-wing, which sparked Israel's relentless attacks in Gaza, which has left at least 35,647 people dead, according to Palestine's health ministry.