Recent weeks have seen increased scathing criticism of Israel for its actions in Gaza, as well as the forced starvation of the enclave’s population, which is determined to be a war crime.
In response, countries around the world are taking the symbolic step of recognising Palestine as a state.
The decision to politically acknowledge a Palestinian state and their self-determination has been praised widely, even though such a move does not include any specific terms, such as where its borders are or what its capital city is.
Instead, countries that recognise Palestine as a state can engage in full diplomatic relations and designate a Palestinian ambassador.
At least 140 UN member states already recognise Palestine as a state; however, countries which have historically had good relations with Israel are now turning the tide as criticism mounts over Israel killing over 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
France
Last week, France became one of the first countries in recent weeks to state that it will recognise a Palestinian state.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron made the surprise announcement after repeatedly demanding that Israel increase aid to Gaza, amid the unprecedented forced starvation in the Strip after Israel cut off all supplies and blocked aid from entering.
He said a Palestinian state will officially be recognised by them in September, making it the first G7 nation to do so.
In a post on X, he added that the formal announcement would be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
"The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," he wrote, which was welcomed by Palestinian officials.
The announcement was lambasted and rejected by the US and Israel; however, Macron confirmed his decision in a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
UK
The UK became the second G7 state to vow to recognise a Palestinian state in September; however, the decision came with the caveat that it will happen unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted the situation in Gaza was "increasingly intolerable" and that unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution in the Middle East, he will move forward with recognising a Palestinian state.
The move came after Starmer came under mounting international pressure, forcing him to recall his cabinet from their summer break to discuss the matter.
"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," he said.
Starmer also said this would only happen if Hamas released all the hostages and "accept they will play no role in the government of Gaza, and disarm".
The announcement garnered a mixed response, with some praising it and others questioning why recognising Palestinian statehood comes with conditions.
Israel lambasted the move as something that "constitutes a reward for Hamas".
Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney this week said he too plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September.
He said the decision depends on democratic reforms, such as the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year, without Hamas's involvement.
He made the decision after citing the rise in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and it is rapidly deteriorating," Carney said, which too was denounced by Israel’s foreign ministry as a "reward for Hamas".
The US also said it now makes a trade deal between the US and Canada "very hard," despite Canada being one of the largest US trading partners.
Countries intending to recognise a Palestinian state
Several European countries already recognise a Palestinian state, with some of them taking the step before joining the EU. These include: Cyprus, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Hungary.
More recently, other EU members have expressed their intention to recognise a Palestinian state. Malta and Belgium are among them.
Key G20 countries, representing some of the world’s major economies, already recognise a Palestinian state. These include: China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, and Indonesia.
Who won’t be recognising a Palestinian state?
Despite the majority of countries vowing to recognise a Palestinian state, some have stood out as vehemently against the notion.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni said that recognising a Palestinian state could be counterproductive, saying: "If something that doesn't exist is recognised on paper, the problem could appear to be solved when it isn't".
A German government spokesperson last week also confirmed that Berlin would not be planning to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term, and said that a priority now is to make progress on a two-state solution.
However, on Thursday, Germany's foreign minister said recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of talks on a two-state solution, but Berlin would respond to any unilateral actions, after citing "annexation threats" by some Israeli ministers.
His remarks marked Germany’s strongest warning yet to Israel as Western nations intensify efforts to exert pressure.
The US and Japan do not recognise a Palestinian state.