The decision comes amid escalating concern about the dire situation in Gaza as Israel wages war against the Hamas militant group.

Australia’s announcement comes as Canada, France and the United Kingdom are also preparing to formally recognise Palestine at the meeting next month, joining the vast majority of UN member states that already do so.

Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday, adding that the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip had “gone beyond the world’s worst fears”.