Macron, however, saidFrancewould not open an embassy to a Palestinian state until a ceasefire is in place in Gaza and all hostages released. France spearheads UN drive to recognise Palestinian statehoodThe Palestinian Authority hailed France's "historic and courageous" decision and its delegation gave him a standing ovation. Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal also recognized a Palestinian state, piling pressure on Israel as it intensifies its war in Gaza. Spain, Ireland and Norway already recognized a Palestinian state in May, and Sweden did so in 2014. Palestinian Authority presses HamasThe war was unleashed when Hamas attacked Israel fromGazaon October 7, 2023, bringing a relentless counterattack by Israel.