British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the UK will officially recognize the State of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, unless the Israeli occupation government takes decisive steps to end the “appalling situation” in the Gaza Strip.

Starmer stated during a Cabinet meeting that the recognition aims to “protect the two-state solution,” amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions and declining prospects for peace, according to a spokesperson from Downing Street.

He clarified that British recognition would be granted if the Israeli occupation did not commit to an immediate ceasefire, retract any intentions to annex land in the West Bank, and engage in a genuine peace process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

For its part, the French Foreign Ministry welcomed Britain’s announcement, considering it “opens new avenues for peace and enhances the chances of reaching a fair settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”