Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has said that “while welcome, the recognition of a Palestinian State doesn’t mean much if there isn’t a ceasefire”.

“The recognition must be followed by a genuine commitment to a peace process in the region,” Lazzarini said in an interview before a UN General Assembly meeting.

Australia, Canada, Portugal and the UK have become the latest countries to recognise Palestine as a state this week, while others, including France, are expected to follow suit.