LONDON: Official recognition of the State of Palestine by major Western nations could help end the war in Gaza and is a “nightmare” for Hamas, the former head of Israel’s Shin Bet spy agency said. Britain, France, Canada and Australia are among at least 10 nations that have made such declarations of recognition in recent days. They came as Saudi Arabia and France co-hosted a landmark UN conference on Monday with the aim of galvanizing support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

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…