Pakistan, May 26 -- Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that his country will officially recognize the State of Palestine next month. The decision comes in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which Abela described as a moral issue the world can no longer ignore. Speaking to the media, the Maltese leader said that recognizing Palestine is a moral responsibility. He added that Malta cannot turn a blind eye to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. The official recognition is expected to follow the United Nations conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict scheduled for June 20.

Meanwhile, Palestinian officials report that Israel has gained practical control over 77% of Gaza. In a plea to the international community a...