Belgium Moves to Recognize Palestine After Hamas Exit

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) has instructed his administration to prepare a formal decision on the recognition of Palestine as an independent state, following Hamas’s announcement that it has dissolved its civil governing body in the Gaza Strip. The move reactivates a diplomatic process that began with a carefully negotiated government compromise in September 2025.

According to VRT NWS, Prévot confirmed he had asked his cabinet to prepare the recognition dossier after coalition partner CD&V called for immediate action. “I don’t know if we’ll be ready by Friday, but it will be on the table soon,” Prévot said, referring to the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting on July 10.

A Conditional Commitment

The recognition question has been a deeply divisive issue within Belgium’s five-party coalition government, which comprises the N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, CD&V, and Vooruit. During the summer of 2025, the government negotiated a compromise that allowed Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) to announce Belgium’s intention to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in New York.

As VRT NWS reported at the time, the agreement attached two conditions to formal recognition: all hostages must be released, and terrorist organizations such as Hamas must be removed from Palestinian governance. The compromise was described by analysts as a “typical Belgian compromise” — a strong political signal abroad paired with cautious conditions at home.

Hamas Dissolves Its Governing Body

On July 6, 2026, Hamas announced it was dissolving its civil governing body in the Gaza Strip, which it had controlled for nearly 20 years. The announcement, made via AFP by the head of Hamas’s media office, is seen as a step toward a technocratic transition as part of broader ceasefire and peace process negotiations.

For CD&V MP Els Van Hoof, this development removes the primary obstacle to recognition. “We reached an agreement with the federal government last summer, after much pulling and tugging,” Van Hoof told HLN. “That agreement clearly states that recognition is possible as soon as the stipulated conditions, including the dissolution of Hamas, are met. Now that Hamas is effectively withdrawing as a governing body in Gaza, Belgium must not break its word.”

Van Hoof emphasized the humanitarian imperative, arguing that recognition offers “a credible perspective on a two-state solution” that could “finally bring an end to the immense suffering affecting so many families and children in Gaza.”

Political Pressure Mounts

The recognition decision now places significant pressure on Prime Minister De Wever and the coalition government. While CD&V and Vooruit have been strong advocates for immediate recognition, the N-VA and MR have historically urged caution, insisting on strict conditions.

Groen (Green Party), which is in opposition, is pushing for even stronger measures. MP Meyrem Almaci called for not only recognition but also implementation of an import ban on products from illegal Israeli settlements — a measure that has been blocked in government for ten months. In a party statement, Almaci said: “Finally, the government is seriously considering the recognition of Palestine. After years of an apartheid regime and a genocide that has now lasted more than a thousand days, they are finally looking at how Belgium can recognize Palestine.”

A Broader European Shift

Belgium’s move is part of a wider European trend toward Palestinian recognition. In May 2024, Norway, Spain, and Ireland officially recognized the State of Palestine. Slovenia followed later that year. In 2025, France under President Macron, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada all announced intentions to recognize Palestine, with many signing the “New York Declaration” at the UN General Assembly.

Currently, 10 EU member states recognize Palestine: Sweden, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Belgium would become the 11th.

What Comes Next

Prévot has indicated that the dossier may not be ready for the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, July 10, but pledged it would be addressed soon. One significant complication remains: the second condition set by the government — the release of all hostages — has not yet been met, potentially giving opponents of swift recognition grounds to argue for delay.

International law experts have noted that the conditions are open to interpretation, and further political wrangling is expected before a final decision is reached. The coming days will reveal whether Belgium joins the growing list of European nations recognizing Palestine — and what that means for the fragile coalition government and the broader Middle East peace process.

This article was compiled from reporting by VRT NWS, HLN, and Groen.