Overview

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced formal recognition to keep a two‑state solution viable, stressing Hamas would have no role and urging a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
• Canada and Australia issued coordinated recognitions, with leaders framing the move as support for peaceful coexistence; Portugal also recognized Palestine and France is expected to follow during UN General Assembly week.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the recognitions as a reward for terrorism, saying a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River "will not happen," as Israel’s foreign ministry warned the step "further destabilises the region."
• Israeli officials signaled potential unilateral responses, including settlement expansion and annexation calls from senior ministers, underscoring deep political resistance to Palestinian statehood.
• The World Health Organization warned Gaza’s hospitals are "on the brink of collapse" as casualties and displacement soar, highlighting that recognition does not resolve core obstacles over governance, security, borders and hostages.