As humanitarian crisis intensifies in Gaza, more countries state the need to recognize State of Palestine as a country

On the international front.

Canada is the latest country to share intentions to recognize Palestine as a state amid Israel's continued military offensive in Gaza.

Ahn Sung-jin explains.

Canada says it plans to join several countries in formally recognizing Palestine as a state.

According to Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Canada intends to do so at a meeting of the UN General Assembly in September this year, as long as preconditions are met.

"This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much-needed reforms, including commitments by the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas, to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026, in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state."

Canada also signed the New York Call, a joint statement of the ministers of foreign affairs from 15 countries, including Australia, France, and Spain, that calls for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live within secure and recognized borders.

Conditions in Gaza remain dire.

Israeli soldiers reportedly killed at least 48 Palestinians.

According to Associated Press on Wednesday, IDF soldiers opened fire on a crowd at a key gateway for aid trucks at a checkpoint in the north of the Strip.

This incident comes as Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is headed to Israel for talks on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

UN agencies have repeatedly stated that the population has already exceeded the threshold for famine in the Gaza Strip.

Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.