Recognising Palestine will benefit Hamas: Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump addressed several key issues during a media briefing on his flight back to Washington, DC, from Scotland on Wednesday, including on the issue of Palestinian state recognition.

The Republican reiterated his claim of having prevented a war between India and Pakistan. “I stopped the war between Pakistan and India”, he crooned.

Read more: Even far-right Trump supporters are now talking about Gaza genocide

He also talked about the ongoing trade tensions with India, noting the Asian economy’s high tariffs on US goods. Trump said that trade deal with India has not yet been finalised and warned that if India failed to sign the agreement, it could face tariffs of up to 25 per cent.

Turning to the Middle East, Trump warned that recognising Palestine would strengthen Hamas. He added that there had been no discussions with the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the use of Palestinian state recognition. The UK Prime Minister announced his country would recognise Palestine if Israel did not stop the ongoing mass starvation in Gaza enclave.

Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza where Israel is carrying out an active genocide, the US President urged its long-time ally to take steps to provide aid. “Israel should take steps to send aid”, he said.

Earlier this year, Trump shocked the world by stating that Gazans should be placed elsewhere in the neighbouring Arab states, leading to accusations of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian territory.

Read more: UK to recognise Palestinian state unless Israel meets conditions

Over 60,000 have been brutally killed by Israeli siege of Gaza since October 2023. The UN has warned of mass starvation and humanitarian crisis as the occupying regime blockaded the enclave.

The Israeli military has also repeatedly opened fire on during aid distribution, killing thousands of innocent, starving Gazans within weeks.