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.

Monaco, Malta and Luxembourg declared their support during a summit on a two-state solution in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Belgium also declared its recognition but said it can only take legal effect if Hamas is removed and hostages are returned.

Speaking at a summit, French President Emmanuel Macron told the UN General Assembly that recognition of a Palestinian state is the “only solution that will allow for Israel to live in peace,” calling the move a “defeat for Hamas.”

“We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” Macron said.