• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces potential recognition of Palestinian state in September.
• The decision is contingent on Israel's actions to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• UN indicates Gaza is on the brink of famine as starvation-related deaths rise.
• International response intensifies with France and Canada also moving towards recognition.
• Critics argue this could reward Hamas and complicate hostages' release efforts.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK would recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to improve conditions in Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis is escalating. This statement follows mounting international pressure and comes after France and Canada indicated they would pursue similar recognitions at the UN General Assembly, aimed at addressing the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza, according to Dawn and Jakarta Post.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has cautioned that "the worst-case scenario of famine" is unfolding in Gaza, with widespread malnutrition and increasing hunger-related deaths reported. Recent data confirm over 60,000 casualties since the initiation of the conflict in October 2023, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid, as noted by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The UK government stated that its recognition would be contingent upon Israel agreeing to a ceasefire and ensuring no further annexation of West Bank territories, as well as allowing the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This reflects a significant shift in UK foreign policy and a response to the "intolerable conditions" in Gaza, as articulated by Starmer, according to BBC and AA.

However, reactions have been mixed, with Israeli officials and families of hostages expressing disapproval, viewing the move as a reward for Hamas. They argue that such recognition could complicate the hostage situation and remove incentives for the militant group to negotiate, as emphasized in statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, reported by BBC and The Hill.

Public and political debate continues in the UK regarding the implications of this potential recognition, with some legal experts cautioning that it may breach international law by failing to meet the necessary criteria for statehood as outlined in the Montevideo Convention, which requires a defined territory and effective governance, as discussed in reports by BBC and Dawn.