While recognizing Palestine, Macron clarified that France would not open an embassy until a ceasefire is achieved and all hostages are freed. From the UN podium, Monaco, Belgium, Andorra, Malta, and Luxembourg also recognized Palestine, bringing the total recognitions to roughly three-quarters of UN member states. Spain, Ireland, and Norway had recognized Palestine in May, with Sweden doing so in 2014. Meanwhile, major US allies such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, although critical of Israel’s Gaza operations, did not recognize Palestine. Israel has launched further military operations aimed at Gaza City, and analysts warn that symbolic recognition, without concrete measures, risks obscuring the harsh realities faced by Palestinians.