Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that the U.K. will recognise Palestine as a state in the United Nations meeting in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza and a path toward a permanent,

Britain has long supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution.

Britain said on Tuesday it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza, where starvation is spreading, and reaches a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war with Hamas.