Overview

• France announced recognition of a Palestinian state at a France–Saudi co-hosted UN summit, joined by the UK, Canada, Australia and others including Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and Portugal.
• The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to let Mahmoud Abbas speak remotely after the U.S. revoked visas for him and dozens of Palestinian Authority officials.
• The U.S. and Israel boycotted the meeting; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Palestinian state and warned of potential retaliation, including annexation steps.
• Analysts and officials say the recognitions do not change conditions on the ground and that full UN membership remains blocked at the Security Council, where the U.S. holds a veto.
• The diplomatic push coincides with intensified Israeli operations in Gaza, with reports of hospitals forced out of service and rising casualties reported by Gaza health authorities.