France and several other Western nations formally declared their recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations on Monday in a move that deepens Israel’s international isolation as it pursues its maximalist war aims in Gaza and expands settlements in the occupied West Bank.

At a meeting ahead of the U.N. General Assembly, France and other U.S. allies made official a breach with Washington that has been years in the making.

Britain and France's decision to recognise a Palestinian state is a historic moment, but it only becomes feasible with US support.

Some 160 states have signed up to recognize a Palestinian state. In the last week, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia have done so, but the prospect of it becoming a reality amid US opposition and Israeli resistance is at best a distant one.

Several world leaders are expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state at a summit convened by France and Saudi Arabia, a move Israel says will undermine the prospects of a peaceful ending to the war in Gaza.

Dozens of world leaders will gather Monday to rally support for a two-state solution at the United Nations General Assembly after a number of U.S. allies formally recognized Palestine as a state.

Some French mayors have defied government orders and flown Palestinian flags on town halls, with more expected to follow suit as France prepares to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly.

The French president has rallied 142 nations behind a road map for a two-state solution after the Gaza war ends. Missing from the list: Israel and the United States.