We're closing this page soon - so let's recap a busy morning.

• In coordinated announcements, Spain, Norway and Ireland unveiled plans to recognise a Palestinian state on 28 May
• Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said a two-state solution was the "only alternative"; while Ireland's PM Simon Harris said the decision would help create a "peaceful future"
• Palestinian leaders welcomed the decision - with the PLO calling it a "historic moment"
• But Israel reacted furiously, saying it would summon the three countries' ambassadors to watch a video of the 7 October attacks
• "History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to the Hamas murderers and rapists," said Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz
• At least 140 countries already recognise the state of Palestine - but not the UK or the US

Ireland's move is not a surprisepublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 22 May

11:10 BST 22 May

Sara Girvin
BBC News Ireland correspondent

Today’s announcement by the Irish government is not a surprise - it has been mooted for months and was always a case of when, rather than if.

The three leaders of the coalition government briefed their cabinet colleagues yesterday with discussions centred around what recognition of a Palestinian state could mean for Ireland.

Ireland has been working particularly closely with Spain on this – the government had always said it wouldn’t be a solo run by Ireland and would happen in co-ordination with other EU countries.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, who took the top job last month, says it’s “never the wrong time to do the right thing”, adding that it has been Ireland’s long standing position that “a two state solution is the way to bring peace to the Middle-East”.

He believes the move to recognise the state of Palestine is a step towards this.

Ireland, Norway, and Spain - but not Belgiumpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 22 May

10:56 BST 22 May

Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor

Image source, NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP

Missing from today's list of countries announcing a date for recognising a Palestinian state is Belgium, which on the face of it seems surprising.

For months, Belgian PM Alexander De Croo has worked closely with his Spanish counterpart on the war in Gaza. Last November they visited the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza together and were both highly critical of Israel's military operation. Brussels was on Pedro Sánchez's itinerary last month when he sought to co-ordinate today's announcement.

Belgium's deputy prime minister, Petra De Sutter, says Belgium should now follow suit, but so far there are no concrete plans beyond discussing it in today's cabinet meeting. Not everyone in the ruling coalition is keen on the idea and with elections less than three weeks away, both federal and European, Belgium may be kicking this particular can down the road.

It also holds the rotating presidency of the European Council and is apparently more keen on playing the role of mediator. Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said recently that Belgium wanted to do more work on "rationalising" what had to be done, and setting emotions aside.

Image source, Reuters

We've got more Israeli reaction now - it says it's recalling the Israeli ambssador to Spain, as it has already done for its envoys in Ireland and Norway.

But it also says it's summoning the ambassadors in Israel of Ireland, Spain and Norway to a "reprimanding conversation" - during which they will watch the video of the kidnapping of female Israeli soldiers on 7 October.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz says: "History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to the Hamas murderers and rapists, who raped teenage girls and burned babies.

"I ordered the ambassadors to be immediately summoned for reprimand talks - during which they will watch the horrifying kidnapping video of the abduction of the female observers to illustrate to them what a twisted decision their governments made.

"Israel will not go over this in silence - their step will have serious consequences."

Some more Palestinian reaction now - the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) calls today's news a "historic moment".

Hussein al-Sheikh adds that recognition of a Palestinian state "is the path to stability, security and peace in the region".

The PLO is internationally recognised as the main representative of Palestinians.

We reported earlier that Pedro Sanchez's announcement on recognising a Palestinian state was met with applause - here's a clip of that standing ovation.

The vexed issue of Palestinian statehoodpublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 22 May

09:51 BST 22 May

Raffi Berg
Digital Middle East editor

The issue of Palestinian statehood has vexed the international community for decades.

In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the main representative of the Palestinians, first declared the establishment of the State of Palestine. It did not define the borders, though declared Jerusalem as the capital.

In practice, the Palestinians have limited self-government through the Palestinian Authority (PA) in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The PA lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas in 2007. The UN considers both territories as occupied by Israel and comprising a single political entity.

Israel does not recognise Palestinian statehood and the current Israeli government opposes the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It argues such a state would be a threat to Israel's existence.

The US endorses the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel - the so-called two state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict - but says such a state should only come through direct negotiations between the two sides.

We just brought you reaction from the Palestinian foreign ministry, based in the West Bank.

Now Hamas - which took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 - has also responded.

In a statement to AFP, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, says the "brave resistance" of the Palestinian people is behind the move.

"These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people," he says.

"We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue."

We can now bring you a statement from the Palestinian foreign ministry, which is based in the West Bank.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomes the decisions taken by the Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognise the State of Palestine," it says.

"With this significant step, Spain, Norway and Ireland have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and to delivering the long overdue justice to the Palestinian people.

"Further, the recognitions of Spain, Norway and Ireland, are in line with international law and all United Nations relevant resolutions, which will in turn contribute positively to all international efforts towards ending the Israeli Illegal occupation and achieving peace and stability in the region."

The statement goes on to call for other states to "take this principled decision as soon as possible".

Spanish PM has campaigned for monthspublished at 09:26 British Summer Time 22 May

09:26 BST 22 May

Guy Hedgecoe
Madrid correspondent

It is not a surprise that Spain has made this announcement today.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez - a socialist - has been campaigning for months to try to gain support from European partners for a formal recognition of a Palestinian state.

He hasn't managed to persuade the bigger economies to get on board but has been working particularly closely with Ireland.

Sanchez says the move to recognise a Palestinian state - which will formally be done by Spain's cabinet next week - reflects public opinion in the country, and is also the right thing to do.

Image source, EPA

Let's catch up on some more comments from the Irish PM, Simon Harris, in Dublin.

"From our own history, we know what it [recognition] means," he says, referring to Ireland's independence from Britain in the 20th Century.

He describes the Hamas attack on 7 October as "barbaric", and calls "again for all hostages to be immediately returned to the arms of their loved ones".

"But let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Today's decision to recognise Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future.

"A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment...

"Just as Ireland's recognition as a state eventually led to the establishment of our now peaceful republic, we believe that Palestinian statehood will contribute to peace and to reconciliation in the Middle East."

No love lost between current governments in Norway and Israelpublished at 09:06 British Summer Time 22 May

09:06 BST 22 May

Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor

Israel's government reacted quickly to the Norwegian and Irish announcements by recalling its envoys to Oslo and Dublin, and Norway's government will have anticipated that.

Oslo's statement twice argues that it is seeking to promote "moderate forces" on both sides in a bid to revive a moribund peace process. There is no love lost between Jonas Gahr Store's centre-left government and the Israeli government.

The Norwegians are highly critical of Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank, and they recognise their peace strategy since the 1993 Oslo Accord has failed.

But Oslo is at pains to condemn the "terrorism and violence from Hamas and other militant [Palestinian] groups" and it talks of a path towards "demobilisation of Hamas" and providing Israel with security guarantees.

Norway has been working with Saudi Arabia in particular towards a broader peace deal and stresses its decision on recognising a Palestinian state is firmly in that context.

For Israel, normalisation of relations with Saudi Arabia was an aspiration that appeared to be on the horizon before the Hamas attacks of 7 October. Oslo wants to make the point here that that kind of prize should be part of a two-state solution.

We reported earlier that Norway and Spain's move will take effect from 28 May.

The Irish foreign minister, Micheál Martin, has confirmed Ireland's move will take place on the same date.

"Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples," he says.

Norway, Ireland, and Spain's move will not change reality on the groundpublished at 08:43 British Summer Time 22 May

08:43 BST 22 May

James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Most of the world already recognises Palestine as a state. Earlier this month, 143 of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Palestine joining the UN, something only states can do.

As of this morning, only nine European countries supported Palestinian statehood and most of those took the decision in 1988 when part of the Soviet bloc. So for Norway, Ireland and Spain to join their number is both rare and significant.

These countries hope not only to signal symbolic support for Palestinians but also to inject some momentum into a political process they hope could help end the fighting.

Many Arab countries say they would help police and reconstruct a post-war Gaza only if the West recognises the state of Palestine as part of that political process.

But most other European countries still believe recognition should come only as part of a long term two-state solution to the conflict.

So Norway, Ireland and Spain are playing a diplomatic card they hope will be picked up by others. But it will not change the reality on the ground.

In Madrid, the Spanish PM, Pedro Sanchez, says Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "still playing deaf ears... he is still bombing hospitals and schools and punishing women and children with hunger and cold".

"The two-state solution is in danger of never existing," he adds.

"We cannot allow this. We have an obligation to act. In Palestine like in Ukraine without double standards.

"We need to send humanitarian aid, and help the refugees we are already doing this. But more needs to be done."

He adds: "This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews.

"It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour or peace and coexistence."

Back in Dublin, the Irish prime minister says a two-state solution is the "only credible path" for peace.

Simon Harris adds: "We are three decades after the Oslo process, and perhaps further than ever from a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace settlement."

He says the decision should not have to wait "indefinitely" when it is "the right thing to do".

Image source, EPA

We earlier brought you reaction from Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz - here's some more from his statement.

"Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays," he says.

"After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

"This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defence."

In Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's speech receives applause in parliament.

“We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words – peace, justice and consistency,” he says.

“We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.

“It is essential that the two sides negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognise Palestine.”

Image source, EPA

We're currently watching events in Dublin and Madrid, as both countries simultaneously announce plans to recognise Palestinian statehood.

In Dublin, the Irish PM says the country believes that "permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people".

Simon Harris pointed to a vote earlier this month at the United Nations General Assembly - where 143 nations voted in favour, external of a resolution granting Palestine enhanced status within the organisation.

He adds: "Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling, suffering, hardship and starvation.

"A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all - is unfolding in real time."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has just announced that his country will recognise the state of Palestine on 28 May.