Armenia has officially recognized a Palestinian state, joining a list of countries doing so during the ongoing Gaza conflict, which led Israel to summon the Armenian ambassador.

Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Friday, also condemning both Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip and Hamas's hostage-taking.

“Armenia condemns the use of civilian infrastructure as shields in conflicts and any violence against non-combatants,” the ministry stated, joining the global call for the captives' release.

Since October 7, Israel’s war on Gaza has claimed over 37,400 lives. Hamas-led attacks have resulted in 1,139 deaths in Israel, with many still held captive in Gaza.

📢 #Armenia recognizes State of #Palestine

🔹Our stance has always been in favor of a peaceful & thorough resolution of the Palestinian issue, backing the "two-state" solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Reaffirming our dedication to international law &… pic.twitter.com/SoF7KLLGr7

— MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) June 21, 2024

Following the recognition announcement, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Armenia's ambassador for a stern discussion.

“Due to Armenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Armenian Ambassador to Israel for a stiff reprimand,” said a ministry spokesperson.

Spain, earlier in May, officially acknowledged Palestine as a state, joining Ireland, Norway, and 143 other nations in recognizing Palestinian statehood.

In Madrid, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasized that recognizing Palestine was a critical message against double standards.

Senior Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh praised Armenia’s decision. “This is a triumph for justice, legitimacy, and the persistent struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence,” he commented on social media.

“Our gratitude to Armenia,” he added.

Armenia expressed its backing for a United Nations call for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinian Authority, overseeing limited self-rule in the West Bank, stated that Armenia’s recognition aids in maintaining the two-state solution, ensuring security, peace, and stability for all involved parties.

Israel, a significant arms supplier to Armenia’s adversary Azerbaijan, has been in a long-standing territorial conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan reclaimed from Armenian separatists last year.