In a critical development regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Prime Ministers of Spain and Ireland are set to hold a meeting on Friday to discuss a collective plan for recognizing Palestinian statehood. The meeting comes as the death toll from Israel's war in Gaza has surpassed 33,000, resulting in growing international criticism of Israel for the mounting deaths, starvation, and infrastructure damage in the besieged enclave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will meet with Ireland's newly appointed leader Simon Harris in Dublin to discuss their respective nations' commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state. Both Spain and Ireland have recently confirmed their intentions to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Prime Minister Sanchez further plans to engage in similar discussions with the leaders of Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and Belgium within the coming week to garner more support for the recognition of Palestine.

The urgent purpose of these discussions is to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and initiate a political peace process that will lead to the realization of a two-state solution. The leaders of Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta, during a summit on March 22, also expressed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state.

Currently, only eight out of the 27 European Union (EU) members recognize Palestine as a state - Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Cyprus. However, if Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta join in recognizing Palestine, the number of EU members recognizing the Palestinian state will increase to 12.

It is important to note that although some EU countries have made diplomatic efforts to recognize Palestine, the EU as a body does not yet recognize it. Nations like Germany and France maintain the position that Palestinian statehood should be recognized only as part of a comprehensive two-state solution with Israel.

Israel has faced criticism from various European countries in recent weeks. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo labeled Israel's campaign in Gaza as disproportionate, although he emphasized that Belgium would remain neutral. Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium called for sanctions against Israel, and the Prime Ministers of Belgium and Spain held a joint news conference in Rafah, Egypt, criticizing Israel's war.

While several countries cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) following Israel's accusations of its links to the Hamas attack, European countries including Romania, Norway, Switzerland, and Sweden continued their support for the agency.

As the conflict continues, tensions have also risen between Israel and its staunch ally, the United States. The US recently warned Israel against carrying out a planned ground operation in Rafah and did not veto the last United Nations resolution that demanded a ceasefire during Ramadan. However, the US still provides military aid to Israel.

In other international developments, South Africa has initiated a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while Nicaragua has presented a case urging Germany to halt arms supplies to Israel.

With 139 out of 193 United Nations member states recognizing Palestine as a state, the recognition of Palestinian statehood has gained significant support globally. The upcoming meeting between the Spanish and Irish premiers further highlights the increasing concern and solidarity among nations over the crisis.

The outcome of these discussions and the growing international pressure on Israel may shape the future path towards a peaceful settlement in the region, with the hope of ending the suffering and securing a lasting two-state solution.