Overview

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel agrees to a Gaza ceasefire.
• France has vowed to follow suit, making it the first major Western power to formalize recognition absent Israeli cooperation on ending hostilities.
• UN agencies, including the IPC and World Food Programme, warn that Gaza is experiencing a worst-case famine scenario and call for immediate, unhindered food deliveries.
• Israel continues to reject ceasefire demands and accuses Hamas of diverting aid, even as some Israeli ministers suggest annexing parts of Gaza to pressure the militant group.
• At least 31 Palestinians were killed this week when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid at crossing points.