In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly since starting his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and return the bodies of those killed during the group’s October 7, 2023, attack.
Speaking Tuesday at the 80th UNGA session in New York, Trump slammed Hamas for fueling the ongoing Gaza crisis. “As everyone knows, I’ve also been deeply engaged in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to bring peace,” he said, highlighting his efforts amid the conflict.
Trump warned against countries recognizing Palestinian statehood, calling it a dangerous reward for the terrorist group behind the brutal assault on southern Israel that killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. “We can’t forget October 7, 2023. Now, as if to encourage engineered conflict, some of these bodies are seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state,” he added.
His speech comes as world leaders grow more worried about Gaza’s civilians facing relentless Israeli strikes. Trump boasted about halting seven wars in his first seven months back in office, but he pinned blame squarely on Hamas for the continued violence there.
Unlike his mention of Russian President Vladimir Putin in talks about ending the Ukraine war, Trump skipped naming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when discussing Gaza.
The timing feels charged: Just a day earlier, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Andorra announced their recognition of Palestine, pushing the total to 156 countries. The UK, Portugal, Australia, and Canada had made similar moves recently.
Palestinian leaders cheered the wave of recognitions, but Israel fired back, echoing Trump’s view that it lets Hamas off the hook without accountability for the October 7 atrocities.
Out of the UN’s 193 member states, Palestine holds observer status but has been blocked from full membership before—thanks to a U.S. veto in the Security Council, where America is one of five permanent powers. As Gaza tensions simmer, Trump’s words underscore deep U.S.-Israel ties and his firm opposition to Palestinian statehood without direct negotiations.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
