Overview
- President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s recognition from the UN podium, following moves by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal, with the tally of recognitions reported around 145 UN member states.
- Conference chairs France and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement prioritizing a permanent Gaza cease-fire, release of all hostages with prisoner exchanges, unimpeded humanitarian access, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority with Hamas disarmed.
- Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan reiterated support for a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and pledged to pursue implementation of the conference outcomes.
- Israel condemned the recognitions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting a Palestinian state, while the United States characterized the recognitions by allies as performative and President Trump plans to address the issue at the UN.
- Regional tensions flared as Israel alleged an unusual Egyptian military buildup in Sinai that Cairo said complies with treaty understandings, and Qatar decried an Israeli strike in Doha as undermining mediation efforts.