Israel’s sudden decision to indefinitely close the sole land crossing giving over 3 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank access to international travel, has intensified fears of more restrictions amid Israel’s threats of retaliation against Western recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Israel Defense Forces is continuing its operation to take control of Gaza City, the largest urban area in the Gaza Strip, despite international outcry.

The fast-moving diplomatic events are mostly symbolic, but the resentment across Israel’s political class shows how isolated the Jewish state has become two years into its war with Hamas.

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.

Three Palestinians accused of “collaborating” with Israel were executed  by masked Hamas terrorists in front of a cheering crowd in Gaza on Sunday.

On Monday, France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco announced or confirmed their recognition of a Palestinian state.

The Palestine Liberation Organization declared an independent Palestinian state in 1988, and most of the global South quickly recognised it. Today, 147 of the 193 U.N. member states have done so - most recently Mexico, in January.

Members of Palestinian rescue services, including firefighters, attend to others in Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday. More than half of Gaza City's residents have evacuated as Israel Defense Forces continue their offensive in what they call a Hamas stronghold.