UK to recognise state of Palestine 'within 48hrs'

KEIR Starmer is expected to formally recognise Palestine over the weekend, with Israel likely to fail to meet conditions set by the Government.

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON

The PM is said to be poised to make a formal decision within the next 48 hours, ahead of a crucial United Nations summit on Monday.

France's president Emmanuel Macron is also set to press ahead with the move, which will infuriate Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Starmer had told Israel it must take "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza" by September, or else he would progress with formally recognising Palestine.

But earlier this week a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City and a UN-commissioned inquiry said Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the war-torn enclave.