Britain: Gaza's Armistice Becomes The Top Priority

Children in Gaza play in the wreckage of WFP's car/DOC PHOTO

JAKARTA - Britain has expressed support for the recognition of the Palestinian state, but stressed the priorities that must be made, namely easing suffering in Gaza and securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The British governments have stated several times that they will officially recognize the Palestinian state at the right time, without ever setting a schedule or detailing the requirements to make it happen.

"We want the Palestinian state, we want it, and we want to ensure there are conditions that allow such long-term political solutions to have room to develop," UK Science and Technology Minister Peter Kyle told Sky News.

"But right now, today, we have to focus on what will ease suffering, and extreme and unwarranted suffering in Gaza should be our priority today," said Kyle.

His remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron said France intended to recognize the Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly.

Macron's plan drew strong criticism from Israel and the United States.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said state status was a right that could not be lifted from the Palestinian people. Starmer reiterated his call for a ceasefire as an important step towards achieving a two-state solution.

Speaking on a visit to Australia, British Foreign Minister David Lemmy repeated calls for a Starmer ceasefire and described the situation in Gaza as "untenable".

Gaza's health authorities say more than 100 people have died from hunger, mostly in recent weeks.

Human rights groups say mass hunger spreads even when tons of food and other supplies are neglected outside the region.