This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
Hello and welcome to News Hour from the BBC World Service.
I'm Celia Hatton and I'm coming to you live from our studio in central London.
We're starting this edition of NewsHour with news that's been unfolding here in the United Kingdom.
Just a few hours ago,
the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK will recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September unless Israel meets certain conditions in Gaza.
It's a diplomatic decision that could carry huge consequences for the once close allies,
the UK and Israel.
And it comes on a day when the situation inside Gaza became even more acute.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said 60,000 people have now been killed
since the October 7th conflict with Israel began.
A UN-backed report now says that the worst-case scenario of famine is playing out inside Gaza.
Now we'll focus on the UK's fresh stance on Palestine.
Keir Starmer spoke after convening an emergency meeting with his cabinet on the situation in the Middle East.
Let's hear what he had to say.
Our goal remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
But right now, that goal is under pressure like never before.
I've always said that we will recognize a Palestinian state.
as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution.
With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.