Overview

• Britain, Canada and Australia announced recognition of a Palestinian state on September 21, the first such step by G7 members.
• On September 18, the UN Security Council backed a Denmark-led resolution for an immediate ceasefire and an end to aid restrictions by 14 votes to 1, but the United States vetoed it, calling the text seriously flawed and improperly equating Israel and Hamas.
• The Israel Defense Forces escalated ground operations in Gaza City, reporting strikes on tunnel entrances and sniper sites, as local authorities said nearly 270,000 residents fled and Al Jazeera reported 71 deaths on September 20, including 56 in Gaza City.
• Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remained extreme with acute shortages of food, medicine and shelter and reports of famine.
• Negotiations faced new obstacles as Hamas published a 'farewell' image of roughly 40 hostages and, according to Axios, Qatar sought an Israeli apology and compensation before resuming mediation after a strike on its territory.