In a significant move, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced on Monday that the United Kingdom will explore the recognition of a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. Speaking at a reception for Arab ambassadors in London, Cameron reiterated the UK's support for a two-state solution as the path to resolving the long-standing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, the UK has joined other nations in calling for an immediate halt to the fighting. Unlike the United States, which has not taken a similar stance, Britain is also advocating for the release of hostages held in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Cameron stressed the importance of providing the Palestinian people with a political horizon, emphasizing that demonstrating irreversible progress towards a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state is crucial. He stated that the UK has a responsibility to outline what a future Palestinian state would look like and how it would function. Recognizing a Palestinian state at the UN, Cameron noted, could play a pivotal role in solidifying the progress of the peace process.

In November, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also underscored the necessity of a two-state solution. Blinken emphasized that such an approach is necessary to guarantee lasting security for a Jewish and democratic Israel while fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians for statehood. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of an independent Palestinian state, arguing that Israel must retain full security control over the Gaza Strip.

The remarks made by Cameron were received positively by Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, who described them as "historic." Zomlot praised Cameron for considering the recognition of the State of Palestine as a contribution towards achieving a peaceful solution.

Meanwhile, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have been engaged in negotiations to secure a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. The talks aim to secure the release of remaining hostages taken during the Hamas attack on Israel in early October, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The most recent meeting between top intelligence officials from these countries in Paris over the weekend was deemed to have made "good progress" by Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. He expressed optimism about bringing Hamas to the negotiating table and reaching a positive outcome.

In response to the proposal, Hamas announced on Tuesday that it is currently studying the details and will respond promptly. Their priority remains the cessation of aggression in Gaza and the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the region, according to a statement attributed to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The UK's consideration of recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations reflects growing international efforts to find a resolution to the Middle East crisis and underscores the urgency to find a lasting solution that brings peace and stability to the region.