Storyline: Local residents in the Gaza Strip are hailing the latest announcements made by the United Kingdom and other nations to formally recognize the state of Palestine, while calling for pressurizing the United States and Israel to cease the latter's operations in Gaza. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday announced on Sunday that Britain has formally recognized the State of Palestine, affirming Britain's support for "the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination" and the two-state solution. Along with the UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal also announced their recognition of the Palestinian State on Sunday. "The state of Palestine, like many other countries, deserves to be recognized. At the same time, Palestinians should be granted their own land they deserve," said Tamer Dalloul, a resident of Gaza. "It's clear that Palestine is now gaining widespread, strong and powerful sympathy. At the same time, there is an isolation and resentment toward Israel for what it has done to the Palestinian people," said Mohammad Sobh, another resident of Gaza. While multiple nations are pushing for the recognition of Palestine, the United States has continued to block United Nations resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. On Thursday, the United States once again vetoed a draft at the UN Security Council that sought an immediate halt to hostilities and the exchange of detainees. Facing what the United States has done, Gazans said it has deepened their skepticism about U.S. intentions and heightened their fears of prolonged conflict. "In my opinion, the United States and Israel both place themselves above everything, above international law, above the Security Council, above the United Nations, above the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, above all international bodies calling for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza," said Hussein Karso, a resident of Gaza. "I hope the U.S. will be the first one to feel the pressures with more countries recognizing the state of Palestine, because the U.S. is Israel's sole funder. Therefore, we hope the U.S. would face most of the pressures, so that it would pass on the pressures to Israel," said Mohammed Shamoukh, another resident. According to Gaza-based health authorities, the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, 2023, has surpassed 65,000. Shotlist: FILE: Ramallah, West Bank - 2024: 1. Various of Palestinian presidential headquarters; flag of Palestine FILE: Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, Palestine - Date Unknown: 2. Various of flag of Palestine; traffic, pedestrians Gaza Strip - Sept 21, 2025: 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tamer Dalloul, resident: "The state of Palestine, like many other countries, deserves to be recognized. At the same time, Palestinians should be granted their own land they deserve." 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Sobh, resident: "It's clear that Palestine is now gaining widespread, strong and powerful sympathy. At the same time, there is an isolation and resentment toward Israel for what it has done to the Palestinian people." FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown: 5. United Nations emblem 6. UN flag Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Sept 10, 2025: 7. Various of destroyed buildings; rubble; residents 8. People clearing up dust 9. Various of displaced Palestinians carrying belongings 10. Tents; destroyed buildings Gaza Strip - Sept 21, 2025: 11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussein Karso, resident: "In my opinion, the United States and Israel both place themselves above everything, above international law, above the Security Council, above the United Nations, above the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, above all international bodies calling for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza." 12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammed Shamoukh, resident: "I hope the U.S. will be the first one to feel the pressures with more countries recognizing the state of Palestine, because the U.S. is Israel's sole funder. Therefore, we hope the U.S. would face most of the pressures, so that it would pass on the pressures to Israel." FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown: 13. White House FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 27, 2023: 14. White House FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022: 15. Israeli Parliament Knesset; national flag of Israel. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]