GAZA CITY: Recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Canada and Australia on Sunday drew sharply contrasting reactions, with Palestinians in Gaza hailing it as a sign of hope while Israelis voiced anger and concern. In Gaza, many saw the recognition as an affirmation of their existence after nearly two years of war between Hamas and Israel. “We shouldn’t just be numbers in the news,” said Salwa Mansour, 35, displaced from Rafah to Al-Mawasi, which the Israeli military has declared a humanitarian zone.

Though the move is largely symbolic, the UK hopes that it could increase diplomatic pressure for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

The Move, Which Comes Ahead of This Week's UN General Assembly, Reflects Growing Diplomatic Pressure to End the War in Gaza, Create Conditions for Lasting Peace, and Potentially…