UK rejects criticism that move to recognise Palestinian state rewards Hamas

Britain on Wednesday rejected criticism that it was rewarding Hamas by setting out plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to improve the situation in Gaza and bring about peace.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ultimatum, setting a September deadline for Israel, prompted an immediate rebuke from his counterpart in Jerusalem, who said it rewarded Hamas.

"This is about the Palestinian people. It's about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death," British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, designated by the government to respond to questions in a series of media interviews on Wednesday, told LBC radio.

“We've got to ratchet up pressure on the Israeli government to lift the restrictions to get aid back into Gaza.”