Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi welcomed the decision by Britain, Canada and Australia to recognize the state of Palestine, calling it "an important political milestone that comes as a result of suffering and sacrifices that the Palestinian people made, especially since October 7 in Gaza." Mardawi added that "the recognition also reflects the will of global public opinion and Israel's growing isolation," and called on additional countries to join the move "and stop normalization with Israel until the 'massacre and occupation' are stopped." According to him, "This is a victory for the justice of the Palestinian cause and a step that will bring increasing international pressure to end the occupation and establish a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."