This is reported by Kyiv24
France has announced its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine during the session of the UN General Assembly scheduled for September. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed this position by sharing a copy of a letter addressed to the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on social media platform X.
“The letter states that this decision, in Macron’s view, will aid in the peaceful resolution of the Middle Eastern conflict.”
International Reaction and Positions of Other Countries
France will become the first major Western country to recognize Palestine not only de facto but also legally as an independent state. This move could be pivotal for the future peace process in the Middle East.
On the same day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, placing the blame for the humanitarian crisis on Israel. He also stated that the United Kingdom would recognize the State of Palestine only after a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza.
Current Situation in the Gaza Strip and the Position of the International Community
Currently, about 150 of the 193 UN member states already recognize the independence of Palestine. However, the United States and Israel still refuse to acknowledge it. According to UN resolutions, the territory of the future state should encompass the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, but Israeli authorities do not agree with these borders.
The Gaza Strip is currently partially under the control of the Hamas group, which is designated as a terrorist organization in the US and EU. Indirect negotiations regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages are ongoing, but so far without positive results. Representatives from Israel and the US have left Qatar and are currently analyzing the latest proposals from Hamas. US Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff emphasized that Hamas is not demonstrating goodwill, thus alternative ways to secure the return of hostages and stabilize the situation in Gaza are being considered.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza continues, humanitarian aid is arriving with difficulties, and international organizations are warning of a serious threat of famine. The armed conflict in the region escalated in October 2023 following a Hamas attack in southern Israel and the capture of over 250 hostages. In response, Israeli actions have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of local residents. Subsequently, many Western countries have begun to critically assess Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.