Hamas welcomes UN conference declaration on two-state solution

Hamas on Tuesday responded to the joint declaration of an international two-state solution conference in New York, calling it a step toward addressing the Gaza conflict.

The group said the declaration’s proposals – including a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, aid access, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a halt to settlement activity – should be implemented.

It also reiterated its stance that Palestinian factions form part of a national liberation movement, saying armed resistance is permitted under international law until a state with Jerusalem as its capital is established.

The development came as 11 countries, including the UK, Canada and Australia, recognised Palestine this week, bringing the total to 159 UN member states.

According to UN figures, more than 65,300 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

U.S President Donald Trump hit out at member states at the UN that backed Palestinian statehood in his speech at the General Assembly on Tuesday. 

"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," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously vowed that "there will be no Palestinian state". 

In a statement released by his office on Sunday, he said that leaders who are recognizing a Palestinian state after the events of October 7 are rewarding terror with an enormous prize.

"I have a clear message to those leaders who are recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with an enormous prize.

And I have another message for you: It's not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River." he said.

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