Hamas has said it will refuse to disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian terror group said in a statement on Saturday that its “armed resistance…cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital”.

It comes after the UK, France, and Canada all vowed to recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Sir Keir Starmer said the step would be taken next month unless Israel met a series of conditions, including ending the “appalling” situation in Gaza.

The Prime Minister was criticised for failing to impose any conditions on Hamas, including that the remaining 50 hostages be released.