Overview

• In a UN speech, Emmanuel Macron announced France’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, paired with a denunciation of Hamas, a call to disarm it, and an appeal for an international stabilization mission in Gaza.
• The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium and others joined the move, bringing the tally of UN member states recognizing Palestine to at least 151, according to AFP.
• The United States denied visas to about 80 Palestinians, including Mahmoud Abbas, prompting the UN General Assembly to authorize his pre‑recorded video address.
• Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the recognitions as a “submission to terrorism” and declared there will be no Palestinian state, and Security Council dynamics leave Palestine’s UN status unchanged.
• U.S. emissary Steve Witkoff said President Trump presented a 21‑point plan for Gaza and expressed hope of a near‑term breakthrough, a prospect not independently confirmed.