Hostage families: Releases will play ‘no part’ in UK plan to recognise Palestine

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer listens to a question from the press, after making a statement in Downing Street, London, following a Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza (Toby Melville/PA) - (PA Wire)

British families of hostages taken by Hamas say they have been told that the release of those still held would “play no part” in the UK’s plans to recognise Palestine and urged the Prime Minister to change course.

Sir Keir Starmer announced earlier this week that the UK would take the step of recognising Palestine in September ahead of the UN General Assembly unless Israel meets certain conditions.