Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

"We can no longer wait," French President Emmanuel Macron told the UN today, as he announced that France was joining countries including the UK, Canada and Australia in formally recognising a Palestinian state.

We've got a summary of the afternoon's key speeches in New York, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looked towards a future in Gaza without Hamas, and UN chief Antonio Guterres added that statehood for Palestinians "is a right and not a reward".

Israel, though, maintains that there will be no two-state solution, and did not take part in today's speech-making on the issue - our diplomatic correspondent has more on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's doesn't appear to mind his country's isolation on the international stage.

Netanyahu was also warned by Guterres not to respond by annexing more parts of the West Bank, but Israel's UN ambassador says this will be a discussion for the Israeli government when Netanyahu returns from an upcoming White House trip.

Donald Trump's administration, too, declined to speak, though the US president will be present in New York tomorrow when the UN's General Assembly marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the organisation.

That brings an end to our live coverage, but we'll keep our news story updated with any developments.

And you can go deeper with these pieces:

• What does recognising a Palestinian state mean?
• Who would lead a Palestinian state?
• UK says Israel must not retaliate against Palestinian statehood push

Before we close our live coverage of today's UN event on the conflict in Gaza, here's how it looked as diplomats gathered for speeches inside the New York building.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Israel's isolation deepens - but it's not clear that Netanyahu mindspublished at 21:59 BST 22 September

21:59 BST 22 September

Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent

With the recognition of Palestinian statehood among some of Israel’s traditional allies, and moves to impose a variety of economic, political and cultural boycotts, Israel’s international isolation is deepening.

But it’s not clear that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu minds.

A week ago, he called for Israel to embrace an economy with "autarkic characteristics" - in other words, increased self-sufficiency.

"Israel is in a sort of isolation," he told a conference in Jerusalem. The way to respond, he said, was to become a "super-Sparta" - a reference to the ancient Greek city state famed for its discipline and military prowess.

"There’s no choice," Netanyahu said. "In the coming years, at least, we will have to deal with these attempts to isolate us."

His remarks have some Israelis wondering what the prime minister will do next.

"It certainly looks like he is gearing up for a move like West Bank annexation," columnist and former intelligence officer Yossi Alpher writes today.

"Along with prolonged war in Gaza, that will trigger boycotts and severance of relations."

Image source, Getty Images

While the UN meeting on the two-state solution continues, let's have a quick recap of the key lines we heard from some of the biggest names in attendance in New York.

• Announcing France's recognition of a Palestinian state, Macron told the UN that "nothing justifies the ongoing war" in Gaza
• But he stressed that giving Palestinians rights does not take away from the rights of the Israelis
• UN chief Antonio Guterres also warned Israel not to respond with an annexation of the West Bank, suggesting that "the relentless expansion of settlements" in the region must stop
• Statehood for Palestinians "is a right and not a reward", he added
• Joining the conference remotely, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for Hamas to surrender its weapons as he looked ahead to a future for Gaza that, he said, would not include Hamas

Hanan Abdelrazek
BBC News Arabic correspondent

Image source, Reuters

As I was preparing for my live broadcast from outside the Palestinian Mission in London, a British man in his mid-50s stopped me. He was walking his dog in a nearby neighbourhood and came on foot to take pictures of the building, above which the Palestinian flag is now flying.

He told me he had come here to take some photos to send to his son, who had participated in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the past two years.

Less than 24 hours after the UK recognised the Palestinian state, the Palestinian diplomatic mission in London started the celebrations.

The Palestinian flag was raised over the building, the Palestinian national anthem was played, and Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot shared with journalists a sign reading: "Embassy of the State of Palestine."

"The mistakes of the past are now being rectified," Zomlot says. "After a century of denial, the British government is taking the step of recognising the State of Palestine," he adds.

Image source, Reuters

We've also heard remarks from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who speaks remotely after being denied visa access to attend the meeting in New York.

Abbas calls for a permanent ceasefire and ensuring access to humanitarian aid through the UN and Unrwa.

He also calls for the start "without delay" of the reconstruction of Gaza and the West Bank.

Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza, he says, before calling for the group to "surrender their weapons" to the Palestinian authority.

"What we want is one unified state without weapons," he explains.

Within three months of the end of the war, Abbas says, an interim constitution will be drafted to ensure the correct transfer of power takes place.

Elections will then be held under international observance, he adds, describing his aspirations for a state governed by the rule of law.

Abbas then commends the 149 nations which have already recognised a Palestinian state, and calls on those which have not done so to follow suit.

He also expresses his readiness to work with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, and other partners to implement any peace plan adopted during the UN conference.

Guterres says nothing can justify "the relentless expansion of settlements" in the West Bank.

This must stop, he warns, as well as the "creeping threat of annexation" and the "intensification of settler violence".

The UN chief says the only solution is one in which two independent and sovereign states are mutually recognised and fully integrated into the international community.

Statehood for the Palestinians "is a right, not a reward," he emphasises, adding: "Denying statehood would be a gift to extremists everywhere."

Image source, Reuters

UN Secretary General António Guterres says he is disappointed that the Palestinian Authority was denied the opportunity to be fully represented at the meeting.

He says the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has gone unresolved for generations, dialogue has faltered, resolutions have been flouted, international law has been breached, and decades of diplomacy have come up short.

Guterres says the situation is intolerable and is deteriorating by the hour, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

Image source, Reuters

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud addresses the UN on behalf of the country's leader Mohammed bin Salman.

He thanks Emmanuel Macron for recognising a Palestinian state and reiterates that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.

Stick with us and we'll continue to bring you more from the UN as we get it.

Macron calls for a transitional administration in Gaza involving the Palestinian Authority, that will be tasked with overseeing the dismantling of Hamas.

He says France is ready to contribute to a "stabilisation mission" in Gaza, raising the prospect of an international security presence in the territory.

He says France will only open an embassy to a Palestinian state when all the hostages being held by Hamas are released and a ceasefire has been agreed to.

Image source, EPA

Giving Palestinians rights does not take away from the rights of the Israelis, says Macron.

He also highlights the other countries who have recognised Palestinian statehood including Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the UK, Canada and San Marino.

He says they "answered our call" in July and took the responsible and necessary choice to opt for peace.

He adds that Spain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden "are also going down the same path".

Before announcing France's recognition of a Palestinian state, Macron told the UN the time has come to stop the war in Gaza and free the remaining 48 hostages detained by Hamas.

He says the world is just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace, and adds: "We can no longer wait."

Macron condemns the 7 October attacks and says he wants to see peace in the region created by having two states living side-by-side.

"Nothing justifies the ongoing war", Macron says, adding that "everything compels us" to bring it to a definitive end.

As expected, French President Emmanuel Macron confirms his government will formally recognise a Palestinian state, joining a wave of countries to do so in recent weeks.

He is still addressing the United Nations in New York, we will bring you more shortly.

A key UN conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is about to start in New York, where France is set to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are due to speak first, followed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and then other world leaders.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will also speak, but only via videolink after the Trump administration declined to issue visas for Abbas and his delegation to attend the gathering in New York.

Macron has just entered the UN chamber and has been warmly greeted by many in the hall.

You can watch the speeches by clicking watch at the top of this page.

Image source, EVN

More from Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon, who refused to rule out plans for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank in response to countries recognising a state of Palestine.

Asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response, Dannon says this will not be decided now.

Instead, Netanyahu will first fly to the White House to meet with Donald Trump, before returning to Israel "to decide what the actions will be", the ambassador says.

"In the past we applied sovereignty in the Golan Heights, over East Jerusalem, but that's a discussion for the government."

Pressed further on whether this might mean Israel will annex parts of the West Bank, Danon says: "I don't like the word annexation, I call it applying sovereignty."

"I think it's a decision that the government will have to discuss," he says.

Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, is speaking to reporters in New York.

He says a two-state solution was taken "off the table" after the 7 October attack and calls this week's talks at the UN a "charade".

We're still listening to his remarks and will bring you more shortly.

Image source, Reuters

Donald Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has been taking questions from reporters at the White House and is asked about the wave of recognition for a Palestinian state in recent days.

She says "the president has been very clear - the president disagrees with this decision".

Leavitt continues: "He feels this does not do anything to free the hostages, which is the primary goal in Gaza, does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close - and, frankly, he believes it is a reward for Hamas.

"He believes these decisions are more talk and not enough action from our allies."

We're now hearing from Israel's UN ambassador.

Danny Danon confirms its delegation won't participate in talks tomorrow, a day which will be dominated by discussions about the situation in the Middle East.

He says Israel had requested the session be moved because it falls on Rosh Hashanah, a holy day marking the Jewish New Year.

Writing on X, he says: "Despite our prior notice that the session falls on Rosh Hashanah, the Council chose to hold the debate precisely on this day.

"A one-sided discussion held on a Jewish holiday is yet more proof of the UN’s hypocrisy."

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas for 15 months, said the UK government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state was "rewarding monsters", adding: "Shame on you".

She shared the message on Instagram alongside pictures of Hamas gunmen during the 7 October attack and an image of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage who was visibly emaciated when he was finally released from captivity in February.

Ian Brisley, Eli Sharabi's British brother-in-law, also condemned the recognition. His sister Lianne was murdered on 7 October alongside her daughters Noiya and Yahel.

He said it would "send a signal" that "mass murder will be excused - even rewarded".

Writing about his sister's murder on social media, he said: "As she lay dead, Gazan 'civilians' who followed the terrorists into kibbutz communities prised the rings from her fingers.

"And now Britain is asked to recognise a Palestinian state? It is an insult to their memory, and to every victim of that day."

Image source, Albert Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Israel says it won't allow a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, accusing the Global Sumud Flotilla of being run by Hamas and "intended to serve Hamas".

"If the flotilla participants' genuine wish is to deliver humanitarian aid rather than serve Hamas, Israel calls on the vessels to dock at the Ashkelon Marina and unload the aid there, from where it will be transferred promptly in a coordinated manner to the Gaza Strip," a foreign ministry statement says.

According to its website, the Global Sumud Flotilla is a "coalition of everyday people—organisers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, lawyers, and seafarers".

Flotilla organisers have said the aim of their mission is to break what they call "Israel's illegal siege on Gaza". They say there are currently 51 GSF vessels on their way to Gaza.

Last month, a UN-backed body confirmed that there was famine in Gaza and the UN's humanitarian chief said it was the direct result of Israel's "systematic obstruction" of aid entering Gaza.

The report was labelled an "outright lie" by Israel, which has denied there is starvation in the territory.

In June, Israeli forces boarded a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained the 12 activists onboard, including Swedish activist Thunberg.