Wednesday, 01 October, 2025
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply condemned recent moves by Western powers to recognise a Palestinian state, warning that such steps would reward “horrible atrocities” committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Trump urged the international community to prioritise the release of hostages still held in Gaza, nearly two years after they were seized during Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing Gaza war.
In the past two days, France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have recognised a Palestinian state, citing frustration over Israel’s military offensive and aiming to advance a two-state solution. The decisions, however, have drawn strong criticism from Israel and its close ally, the United States.
"As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists, for their atrocities," Trump said in his speech at the UN "This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities."
"Instead of giving in to Hamas' ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message - release the hostages now, just release the hostages," he said.
Calling for the release of all living hostages and the bodies of those who have died in captivity, he said: "We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to stop it, to get it done."
Two-State Solution All but Dead as Gaza Offensive Intensifies
The long-envisioned two-state solution — the coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state, the cornerstone of the US-backed peace process launched under the 1993 Oslo Accords — is now all but dead.
Israel’s government has ruled out the creation of a Palestinian state while continuing its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
The Gaza offensive has drawn widespread international condemnation, with local health authorities reporting more than 65,000 Palestinian deaths. Despite global pressure, Israel has launched a ground assault on Gaza City with little prospect of a ceasefire, demanding the release of the remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the 2023 attack.
Israeli forces pressed deeper into densely populated areas on Tuesday, and local health authorities reported at least 22 deaths across the Gaza Strip, including 18 in Gaza City. Hospitals are facing critical fuel shortages, threatening to collapse medical services in the coming days.
A United Nations commission said Tuesday that Israel has demonstrated clear intent to establish permanent control over Gaza and maintain a Jewish majority in the occupied West Bank. The UN report detailed systematic demolition of civilian infrastructure and widespread expansion of Israeli control, which it said now covers 75 percent of Gaza as of July this year.
Israel’s mission in Geneva dismissed the report’s findings, rejecting allegations of deliberate policy to consolidate territory.
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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply condemned recent moves by Western powers to recognise a Palestinian state, warning that such steps would reward “horrible atrocities” committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Trump urged the international community to prioritise the release of hostages still held in Gaza, nearly two years after they were seized during Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing Gaza war.
In the past two days, France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have recognised a Palestinian state, citing frustration over Israel’s military offensive and aiming to advance a two-state solution. The decisions, however, have drawn strong criticism from Israel and its close ally, the United States.
"As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists, for their atrocities," Trump said in his speech at the UN "This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities."
"Instead of giving in to Hamas' ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message - release the hostages now, just release the hostages," he said.
Calling for the release of all living hostages and the bodies of those who have died in captivity, he said: "We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to stop it, to get it done."
Two-State Solution All but Dead as Gaza Offensive Intensifies
The long-envisioned two-state solution — the coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state, the cornerstone of the US-backed peace process launched under the 1993 Oslo Accords — is now all but dead.
Israel’s government has ruled out the creation of a Palestinian state while continuing its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
The Gaza offensive has drawn widespread international condemnation, with local health authorities reporting more than 65,000 Palestinian deaths. Despite global pressure, Israel has launched a ground assault on Gaza City with little prospect of a ceasefire, demanding the release of the remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the 2023 attack.
Israeli forces pressed deeper into densely populated areas on Tuesday, and local health authorities reported at least 22 deaths across the Gaza Strip, including 18 in Gaza City. Hospitals are facing critical fuel shortages, threatening to collapse medical services in the coming days.
A United Nations commission said Tuesday that Israel has demonstrated clear intent to establish permanent control over Gaza and maintain a Jewish majority in the occupied West Bank. The UN report detailed systematic demolition of civilian infrastructure and widespread expansion of Israeli control, which it said now covers 75 percent of Gaza as of July this year.
Israel’s mission in Geneva dismissed the report’s findings, rejecting allegations of deliberate policy to consolidate territory.
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