The United Kingdom will recognize Palestine if Israel does not act.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country will recognize the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes “substantial steps” to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza , including a ceasefire, the resumption of access to UN aid, and a commitment not to annex territories in the West Bank .

Starmer asserted that recognition would be a decisive contribution to the two-state solution, but would be conditional on a fundamental shift in Israeli policy .

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The British warning follows France 's announcement last week that it will formalize its recognition at the UN General Assembly , becoming the first G7 member to do so.

International pressure is mounting as the United Nations denounces the critical situation in Gaza , where the war has claimed more than 60,000 Palestinian lives in nearly two years.

From London, Starmer also demanded the release of Hamas hostages and its complete demilitarization . In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UK of "rewarding terrorism" and warned that a jihadist state today would be a global threat tomorrow.

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At the same time, UN agencies urged the "flooding" of Gaza with food aid to prevent mass starvation. Secretary-General António Guterres and WFP Director-General Cindy McCain warned that the humanitarian network must function as a "constant ocean" of supplies. Food has been dropped by air by Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and soon France, although much of it is lost at sea, according to local reports.

The UN estimates that between 500 and 600 trucks are needed daily , but only 200 made it through Monday. More than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition since April, and at least 16 have died since July 17. Meanwhile, Israel insists that Hamas is diverting aid and attacking Palestinian civilians to seize supplies.

The war began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,219 dead in Israel .