Belgium will officially recognize Palestine as a state during the UN General Assembly in September, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced. The decision includes 12 sanctions on Israel, such as banning settlement imports and reviewing procurement with Israeli firms. Prévot said the move responds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. France, Australia, and Canada have also pledged recognition. Currently, 147 UN member states recognize Palestine. Belgian prosecutors recently referred Israeli soldiers to the ICC for alleged war crimes.