French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that France will officially recognize Palestine as a state.

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” Macron said in a statement.

He said the move will be brought to the United Nations General Assembly in September.

“The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible.”

He also called for a full ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages in the enclave, and for the building of a fully independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

The United States nor Israel have yet commented on the major announcement

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