Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has requested a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss joining Western allies in recognising Palestine at the UN General Assembly.
• The UK, France and Canada have conditionally committed to recognise a Palestinian state in September contingent on substantive Israeli steps toward a Gaza ceasefire and increased aid access.
• Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that failure to secure a two-state pathway could leave “no Palestine left to recognise” as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to rise.
• Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations remain at an impasse as Netanyahu prepares a security cabinet meeting to outline a full occupation strategy.
• Hamas has demanded that dire humanitarian conditions be addressed before it will return to talks, while UN and WHO reports warn of near-famine in the enclave.