At the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Donald Trump voiced strong opposition to recent moves by several Western nations to recognise a Palestinian state formally.
In a speech marked by firm support for Israel, Trump argued that such recognition would reward militant violence and undermine efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
“Some members of this body are pushing unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state,” Trump said. “This only emboldens those responsible for atrocities and prolongs the conflict.”
His remarks come amid growing international frustration with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
According to local health officials, more than 65,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict escalated, and parts of the territory are now facing famine conditions.
In recent days, countries including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have announced their recognition of Palestinian statehood—moves intended to revive the long-stalled two-state solution.
However, these decisions have sparked tension with Israel and its closest ally, the United States.
Following his address, Trump held a closed-door meeting with leaders from key Muslim-majority nations—among them Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—to discuss the humanitarian crisis and the fate of hostages taken during the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
“It was a productive session,” Trump said. “We had everyone at the table except Israel, but that’s next.”
Reports from Axios suggest the meeting also touched on Washington’s post-war vision for Gaza, including plans for Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of a transitional governance structure without Hamas involvement.
The U.S. is reportedly seeking the support of Arab and Muslim nations for deploying peacekeeping forces and funding reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive in Gaza City, pushing deeper into densely populated areas.
On Tuesday alone, at least 22 Palestinians were reported killed, with hospitals warning of imminent fuel shortages that could jeopardise lives.
Despite mounting pressure, the U.S. and Israel boycotted a separate summit in New York convened by France and Saudi Arabia, where dozens of world leaders endorsed Palestinian statehood.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres later addressed the Security Council, calling recognition “the clearest path” to a viable two-state solution.
Still, full UN membership for Palestine remains elusive. Any such move requires Security Council approval, where the U.S. holds veto power and has historically blocked resolutions critical of Israel.
A UN commission report released Tuesday accused Israel of systematically demolishing civilian infrastructure in Gaza and expanding its control to cover three-quarters of the territory. The Israeli mission in Geneva dismissed the findings.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the prospect of a two-state solution—once the cornerstone of Middle East peace negotiations—appears increasingly remote.
Israel’s current government has ruled out Palestinian statehood, insisting that Hamas must first release the remaining hostages and be removed from Gaza entirely.
