September 24, 2025 | 09:09 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President of the United States, Donald Trump, has characterized the growing international recognition of a Palestinian state as an excessive "reward" for Hamas.
Speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Trump claimed that this recognition would "reward" Hamas for its "atrocities," including the October 7, 2023, attack and its continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
"This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7th, even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept a ceasefire," Trump stated.
Trump emphasized his deep involvement in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza and urged UN member states to work toward a rapid resolution. However, he accused Hamas of "repeatedly rejecting reasonable offers to make peace," alleging that the group appears to want to perpetuate the conflict.
Instead of supporting a two-state solution as a path to peace, he stressed the urgent need to secure the release of hostages. "But instead of giving in to Hamas's ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message. Release the hostages now," Trump said.
Trump's remarks, as reported by Al Jazeera, stand in stark contrast to the statement of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres had previously declared that statehood for Palestine "is a right, not a reward."
Trump's address at the UNGA came after the adoption of a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution.
The resolution, introduced by France and Saudi Arabia, was passed on Friday with 142 votes in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions.
Hamas Denies Trump's Accusations
In response, Hamas denied Trump's accusations that they are an obstacle to a ceasefire.
"Hamas has never been an obstacle to reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip… The US administration, the mediators and the entire world know that the war criminal [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is the sole party obstructing all attempts to reach an agreement," the group said in a statement, as reported by The Times of Israel.
A Fox News report, citing senior Trump administration officials, revealed that Hamas has drafted a letter to Trump requesting he guarantee a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the immediate release of half of the hostages. The letter is expected to be delivered this week.
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