UK to recognise state of Palestine unless Israel commits to ceasefire

Netanyahu is given September deadline to accept two-state solution

- Pippa Crerar

The UK will formally recognise the state of Palestine in September as a result of the "increasingly intolerable" situation on the ground in Gaza - unless Israel abides by a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Keir Starmer's cabinet has agreed a roadmap for peace in the region after coming under intense domestic pressure over the mounting humanitarian crisis in the territory and clamour to follow France in acknowledging statehood.

The prime minister recalled his cabinet from their summer break to approve the plan after holding talks with Donald Trump in Scotland.

The US president said that the issue had not come up but that he did "not mind" the UK taking a position, even if he would not.

Starmer told his ministers that because of the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of reaching a two-state solution, now was the right time to finally move.

"Ultimately, the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement," he told reporters. "Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, but right now, that goal is under pressure like never before." He added: "I have always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.

With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act." UN-backed experts said a "worstcase scenario of famine" was playing out in Gaza as the World Food Programme (WFP) described the hunger crisis in the territory as the worst this century, comparing it to previous famines in Ethiopia and Biafra.