As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.
Israel responds to move to recognize Palestinian state by withholding funds
Israel will not transfer funds to the Palestinian Authority after Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestine as a state, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The decision by Israel's far-right finance minister could push the Palestinian government into an even worse financial situation.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
May 22, 2024, 12:06 PM EDT
Israel allows settlers to enter northern West Bank
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has authorized settlers to enter parts of the northern West Bank that they had previously been barred.
The Israelis previously had settlements in this area that were evacuated and then demolished in 2005. Settlements in the area will still need government approval, but this authorization will make it easier for settlers to establish outposts.
"Just as I have acted in all my positions in the governments of Israel - I will continue to develop the settlements in Judea and Samaria, to strengthen the security elements and the security of the citizens - in roads and settlements," Gallant said in a statement.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
May 22, 2024, 10:08 AM EDT
White House reacts to countries recognizing Palestinian state
The White House responded to Ireland, Norway and Spain recognizing Palestine, saying President Joe Biden supports a two-state solution, but said he thinks a Palestinian state should be realized after negotiations and "not through unilateral recognition."
With the additions of Ireland, Norway and Spain, some 143 countries now recognize the state of Palestine, according to the U.N.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
May 22, 2024, 6:09 AM EDT
3 European countries to recognize Palestinian state
Ireland, Norway and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state.
"Ireland today recognises Palestine as a nation among nations with all the rights and responsibilities that entails," Simon Harris, the country's Taoiseach, or prime minister, said in a statement.
The recognition by the Norwegian Government is an effort to "keep alive" the possibility of a "political solution" that might end the war in Gaza, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement.
"Two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Støre said.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, who said he'd been instructed to immediately recall Israel's ambassador's to Ireland and Norway "for consultations."
"Today's decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays," Katz said. "After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state."
Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said his country will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28.
"Time has come to move from words into action," he said on social media. "Peace, justice and coherence are the basis of our historic decision."
-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey, Joe Simonetti and Guy Davies