British News Agency

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France has decided to recognize the State of Palestine.

Macron stated that he will officially announce this decision at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, saying: "An immediate ceasefire must be achieved, all hostages must be released, and large-scale humanitarian aid must be delivered to the people of Gaza. Additionally, Hamas must be disarmed, Gaza's security ensured, and reconstruction initiated. Finally, a Palestinian state must be built, its viability guaranteed, and this state must accept disarmament and fully recognize Israel, thereby contributing to the security of everyone in the Near East."

President Macron emphasized that the French people want peace in the Near East and said:

"It is up to us — the French, the Israelis, the Palestinians, and our European and international partners — to show that peace is possible. In line with the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I sent him a letter stating my determination to move forward on this matter."