US President Donald Trump has warned that Canada’s plan to recognise Palestine as a state would threaten a trade deal with Ottawa, while his envoy is on the way to Israel.
“Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Canada’s announcement followed the UK and France in their plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September, ramping up pressure on Israel as starvation spreads in Gaza.
Both Israel and US have been critical of the decisions, saying they are a “reward for Hamas”.
US president Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to head to Israel within the coming hours for talks after ceasefire negotiations with Hamas appeared to have stalled last week.
A UN-backed global food security agency said there was evidence of “widespread starvation” in Gaza that has reached “an alarming and deadly turning point”.
More than 60,000 Palestinians have died since the war erupted, local officials say.
Key Points
- Palestinians waiting for food killed in firing
- Canada joins UK and France in plans to support Palestinian statehood
- Trump says Canada's Palestine statehood stance may hurt trade deal
- Israel given ultimatum by Starmer over UK recognising state of Palestine
Watch: Mark Levin shrugs off Gaza famine because baby has pre-existing issues
09:30 , Steffie BanatvalaPalestinian Authority says Canada's statehood plan 'courageous'
09:15 , Steffie BanatvalaPalestinian Authority's foreign ministry has hailed Canada's plan to recognise a Palestinian state as a “courageous and principled decision” which is an “important step toward achieving justice and peace”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomes Canada’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine
— State of Palestine - MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) July 31, 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine welcomes the announcement made by the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Mark…
The statement on social media did not mention Prime Minister Carney’s conditions, which include reforms for the Palestinian Authority.
The authority has no control over Gaza and limited power over parts of the occupied West Bank.
If you're just joining us
09:00 , Steffie BanatvalaIn Gaza:
- A UN-backed security body said a ‘worse-case famine scenario’ is unfolding
- Palestinians in a West Bank village face a new crisis as settlers cut off water
- At least 48 Palestinians were killed and several others injured while waiting for food, hospital sources say
- Deaths from malnutrition and starvation have continued to rise
- More than 60,000 Palestinians have died , local officials say
Worldwide response:
- Canada is the latest G7 nation to say it will recognise a Palestinian state, following Britain and France
- The US and Israel criticised the decisions as ‘rewarding Hamas’ and Trump said Canada’s move could threaten a trade deal with Ottawa
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Israel to discuss the next steps for the first time in months
- US Senate rejected efforts to block arms sales to Israel over Gaza, but it garnered much more support than before
- Israel’s security cabinet member Zeev Elkin is still hinting at annexing parts of Gaza
- Top UK lawyers have warned the UK pledge to recognise Palestine could violate international law
UK pledge to recognise Palestinian state could violate international law: top UK lawyers
08:33 , Steffie BanatvalaNearly 40 members of the UK House of Lords, including top legal experts, have warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to recognise a Palestinian state could violate international law.
In a letter to Attorney General Lord Hermer, the peers argued that Palestine may not meet the requirements for statehood under the 1933 Montevideo Convention, The Times reported.
Palestine does not meet the international law criteria for recognition of a state, namely, defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
The Independent View: Out of despair has sprung some unexpected hope for Gaza
07:48 , Steffie BanatvalaIn the wake of Britain’s move towards a historic recognition of a state of Palestine, three Middle Eastern powers have united to call for Hamas to disarm and leave the territory, in order to facilitate a ceasefire. It is now for the United States to welcome these diplomatic initiatives – and to back them enthusiastically...
Read The Independent View in full:
'Canada recognising Palestinian state threatens trade deal': Trump
07:45 , Steffie BanatvalaTrump envoy Steve Witkoff on his way to Israel
07:43 , Steffie Banatvala
US special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Israel to discuss the next steps to address the situation in Gaza, for the first time in months.
President Donald Trump said on Monday he expects food centres to be set up in order to feed more people in Gaza, where starvation has begun to take hold.
The US official told Reuters that Witkoff will meet with officials "to discuss next steps in addressing the situation in Gaza."
Analysis: Bernie Sanders says 'American people sick and tired of supporting a racist extremist government in Israel'
07:11 , Steffie BanatvalaSenator Bernie Sanders forced Senate Democrats to reckon not only with the images of starvation and suffering in Gaza but also the tectonic shift within voters in their own party.
“What polling shows is the American people are sick and tired of supporting a racist extremist government in Israel, which is now starving, starving children to death with US taxpayer money,” Sanders told The Independent.
Eric Garcia reports:
Bernie Sanders puts Senate Democrats on notice over Gaza – and on the record
US Senate rejects efforts to block arms sales to Israel over Gaza
07:08 , Steffie BanatvalaTwo resolutions that would have blocked arms sales to Israel in response to civilian casualties in Gaza were blocked in the US Senate, although they garnered more support than similar measures earlier this year.
The two resolutions were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent aligned with Democrats. They failed by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27 in the 100-member chamber in voting late on Wednesday night.
In photos: Latest pictures from Gaza strip show crowds gathering to collect aid
06:53 , Shweta SharmaHundreds of Palestinians gathered to collect aid amid rising concerns over mass starvation in the Gaza Strip.
The “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in the enclave, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said on Tuesday.
Gaza has teetered on the brink of famine for two years, but recent developments have “dramatically worsened” the situation, including “increasingly stringent blockades” by Israel, the group said.
Australian PM discusses Gaza with UK's Keir Starmer
06:37 , Shweta SharmaAustralian prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that he had discussed the crisis in Gaza with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, and reiterated his government's strong support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Starmer this week said Britain was prepared to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly in response to growing public anger over the images of starving children in Gaza.
Australia has not yet made a formal decision to recognise Palestine, though Mr Albanese supports Israel's right to exist within secure borders and Palestinians' right to demand their own state.
In a statement, Mr Albanese said they agreed on the importance of using international momentum to secure a ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and the acceleration of aid.
They also want to ensure the militant group Hamas does not play a role in a future Palestinian state.
Israel has criticised France, Britain and Canada, saying their decision will reward Hamas.
Israel could warn Hamas of annexing parts of Gaza
04:44 , Shweta SharmaIsrael could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on the militant group Hamas, an Israeli minister said on Wednesday, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israel now occupies.
The comment by security cabinet member Zeev Elkin came a day after Britain said it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza and agrees to a ceasefire in the war with Hamas.
Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, Mr Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions.
"The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," he said. "A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool."
It comes amid pressure building on Israel over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where a global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding.
Mediation efforts aimed at reaching a deal that would secure a 60-day ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas ground to a halt last week, with the sides trading blame for the impasse.
Israel says it rejects Canada's position to recognise a Palestinian state
04:24 , Shweta SharmaIsrael has strongly rejected Canada’s shift in position to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the decision would be a “reward for Hamas”.
The Israeli foreign ministry said it rejects the statement by the prime minister of Canada.
“The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages,” the foreign ministry said.
Canada’s announcement came after the UK and France said they would recognise a Palestinian state at September's UN General Assembly meeting if the fighting in Gaza, part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, had not stopped by then.
Prime minister Mark Carney told reporters that the reality on the ground, including starvation of people in Gaza, meant "the prospect of a Palestinian state is literally receding before our eyes."
"Canada condemns the fact that the Israeli government has allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza," he said.
Palestinians waiting for food killed in firing
04:02 , Shweta SharmaAt least 48 Palestinians have been killed and several others injured in firing after people desperate to get food at a crossing controlled by Israeli forces gathered, according to hospital staff.
The Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the dead and the wounded were among crowds massed at the Zikim Crossing, the main entry point for humanitarian aid to northern Gaza.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which controls the crossing.
Videos showed wounded people being ferried away from the scene of the shooting in wooden carts, as well as crowds of people carrying bags of flour.
Al-Saraya Field Hospital, where critical cases are stabilised before transfer to main hospitals, said it received more than 100 dead and wounded.
Fares Awad, head of the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service, said some bodies were taken to other hospitals, indicating the toll could rise.
Israeli strikes and gunfire had earlier killed at least 46 Palestinians overnight and into Wednesday, most of them among crowds seeking food, health officials said.
Another seven Palestinians, including a child, died of malnutrition-related causes, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Mapped: Israeli settlements in the West Bank
03:00 , Steffie Banatvala
Explained: Is a two-state solution possible?
02:00 , Steffie Banatvala- While Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005, settlements expanded in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, their population rising from 250,000 in 1993 to 700,000 three decades later, according to Israeli organisation Peace Now. Palestinians say this undermines the basis of a viable state.
- Jewish settlement in the West Bank has accelerated sharply since the start of the Gaza war.
- During the Second Intifada two decades ago, Israel also constructed a barrier that it said was intended to stop Palestinian suicide bombers from entering its cities. Palestinians call it a land grab.
- The PA led by President Mahmoud Abbas administers islands of West Bank land enveloped by a zone of Israeli control comprising 60 percent of the territory, including the Jordanian border and the settlements - arrangements set out in the Oslo Accords.
- Netanyahu's government is the most right-wing in Israeli history and includes religious nationalists who draw support from settlers. The far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has said there is no such thing as a Palestinian people.
- Netanyahu said on 7 July he wanted peace with the Palestinians but described any future independent state as a potential platform to destroy Israel, saying control of security must remain with Israel.
- Hamas won elections in 2006 and a year later drove forces loyal to Abbas out of Gaza, fragmenting the territories where the Palestinians hope to establish their state.
- Hamas and Israel have fought repeated wars since then, culminating in the attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that ignited the current Gaza war.
Full story: Arab nations tell Hamas to ‘disarm’ and end rule of Gaza after Starmer ultimatum
01:00 , Steffie BanatvalaOur Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Arab nations tell Hamas to ‘disarm’ and end rule of Gaza after Starmer ultimatum
Explained: The history of the two-state solution
Thursday 31 July 2025 00:00 , Steffie Banatvala- Conflict occurred in British-ruled Palestine between Arabs and Jews who had migrated to the area, seeking a national home as they fled antisemitic persecution in Europe and citing biblical ties to the land throughout centuries in exile.
- In 1947, the United Nations agreed a plan partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with international rule over Jerusalem. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which gave them 56 percent of the land. The Arab League rejected it.
- The state of Israel was declared on 14 May 1948. A day later, five Arab states attacked. The war ended with Israel controlling 77% of the territory. Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes, ending up in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- In a 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from Jordan and Gaza from Egypt, securing control of all territory from the Mediterranean to the Jordan valley.
- Although 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognise Palestine as a state, it is not itself a UN member, meaning most Palestinians are not recognised by the world body as citizens of any state.
What did Mark Carney say during Palestine recognition announcement
Wednesday 30 July 2025 23:37 , Alex CroftHere are some of Mark Carney’s quotes as he announce that Canada intends to recognise the state of Palestine in September:
- “Canada intends to recognise the state of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.”
- “Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism.”
- “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and it is rapidly deteriorating."
- “We are working ourselves with others, to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution, to not allow the facts on the ground, deaths on the ground, the settlements on the ground, the expropriations on the ground, to get to such an extent that this is not possible.”
- "The prospect of a Palestinian state is being eroded before our eyes.”
Israel says Canada's recognition of Palestine rewards Hamas
Wednesday 30 July 2025 23:33 , Alex CroftIsrael has rejected a statement by Canada's prime minister over a planned recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it represented a reward to militant faction Hamas.
"The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement early on Thursday.
Trump believes Palestinian statehood rewards Hamas, US official says
Wednesday 30 July 2025 23:32 , Alex CroftUS president Donald Trump believes that recognizing Palestinian statehood would be rewarding the militant group Hamas and he does not intend to do that, a White House official said on Wednesday.
The comments came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his country's decision on the issue.
Mr Carney told reporters that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September.
“As the president stated, he would be rewarding Hamas if he recognizes a Palestinian state, and he doesn’t think they should be rewarded," a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "So he is not going to do that. President Trump’s focus is on getting people fed (in Gaza).”
The official did not respond to a question on whether the U.S. was given advance notice of Carney's announcement.
In pictures: Inside the clinic trying to help pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers during starvation crisis
Wednesday 30 July 2025 23:00 , Steffie BanatvalaCARE’s primary healthcare centre provides malnutrition screening and supplements, alleviating hunger for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Canada to recognise Palestinian state at UN in September under certain conditions
Wednesday 30 July 2025 22:56 , Daniel KeaneCanada intends to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September under certain conditions, Prime Minister Mark Carney has said.
Mr Carney told reporters that the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including commitments to fundamentally reform its governance and to hold general elections in 2026.
Hamas must play no part in the elections, he added.
US Ambassador to Israel says UN, not Israel to blame for hunger in Gaza
Wednesday 30 July 2025 22:00 , Steffie BanatvalaUS Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has said the United Nations, rather than Israel, is to blame for hunger in Gaza.
Huckabee told Newsmax on Tuesday that the UN has not distributed lifesaving food supplies in Gaza and Hamas is also interfering.
“The UN, unfortunately, wouldn't help,” Huckabee said. “They had 900 trucks full of food, sitting undelivered, sitting in the sun, rotting.”
“What I will tell you is the reason those problems exist is not because Israel is being unkind and unfair,” he said. “It's because Hamas has made life a hellhole for the people who are trying to live there.”
'UK pledge sends dangerous message that violence earns legitimacy': freed British-Israeli hostage
Wednesday 30 July 2025 21:00 , Steffie BanatvalaAs a Dual British-Israeli citizen who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, I am deeply saddened by your decision @Keir_Starmer to recognise Palestinian statehood. This move does not advance peace—it risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message: that violence earns… https://t.co/G4DF5AWgjT
— Emily Damari (@EmilyDamari1) July 30, 2025
Opinion: What might a surrender deal for Hamas look like?
Wednesday 30 July 2025 20:00 , Steffie BanatvalaThe demand by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt that the terrorists in control of Gaza put down their arms and leave is a strong diplomatic move – but where are they supposed to go? History suggests that expelling terrorists rarely ends well, says Mark Almond:
ICYMI: Key Arab states tell Hamas to disarm and surrender control of Gaza
Wednesday 30 July 2025 19:00 , Steffie BanatvalaIn an unprecedented move, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have for the first time urged Hamas to disband to pave the way for a Palestinian state.
They signed a statement condemning the October 7 attacks and told Hamas to surrender control, along with 14 other countries, including Britain and France.
In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Israel tomorrow
Wednesday 30 July 2025 18:25 , Daniel KeaneUS special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Israel on Thursday to discuss the next steps to address the situation in Gaza, a US official has confirmed.
President Donald Trump said on Monday he expects food centres to be set up in order to feed more people in Gaza, where starvation has begun to take hold.
The US official told Reuters that Witkoff will meet with officials "to discuss next steps in addressing the situation in Gaza."
Opinion: Putting conditions on recognising a Palestinian state is a humiliating joke
Wednesday 30 July 2025 18:00 , Steffie BanatvalaWhen I asked my sister in Gaza what she thought of Keir Starmer’s announcement, she laughed – because it means we only gain statehood if we continue to be killed, says Ahmed Najar:
Putting conditions on recognising Palestine is a humiliating joke for my people
Re-capped: Netanyahu accuses Starmer of ‘rewarding Hamas’ in blistering response to plan to recognise Palestine
Wednesday 30 July 2025 17:00 , Steffie BanatvalaBenjamin Netanyahu has issued a furious response after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise Palestine unless Israel takes urgent steps to end the war in Gaza, accusing the prime minister of “appeasing terrorists”.
Responding on social media, the Israeli prime minister said: “Starmer rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims.”
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff travelling for talks to Israel today "may also travel to Gaza"
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:56 , Steffie BanatvalaTrump's envoy Steve Witkoff travelling for talks to Israel today “may also travel to Gaza”, the White House confirmed to The Independent's Andrew Feinberg.
Witkoff is expected to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
It will be his first trip to Israel in almost three months.
“The president wants to know more about what the humanitarian situation in Gaza is in order to know how to get more assistance to civilians in Gaza,” one US official told Axios.
Israeli minister hints at annexing parts of Gaza
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:45 , Steffie BanatvalaIsrael could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, an Israeli minister said on Wednesday, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israel now occupies.
Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, security cabinet member Zeev Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions.
"The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," he said.
"A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool."
Opinion: Why has it been so difficult for Britain to recognise the state of Palestine?
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:30 , Steffie BanatvalaIn the decades since the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the UK has broadly supported official recognition of a state of Palestine.
So why has it taken more than a century for a government to sign up to it, asks Donald Macintyre:
Why has it been so difficult for Britain to recognise the state of Palestine?
In pictures: Israeli armoured vehicles enter Gaza as starvation crisis worsens
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:22 , Steffie Banatvala
Six people killed near aid distribution centre: hospital sources
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:18 , Steffie BanatvalaSix Palestinians were killed early today near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centre in Rafah, hospital sources said.
Sources told the BBC said that crowds were attacked by an Israeli tank after attempting to enter the centre just before it opened.
The Israeli military told the broadcaster that a “gathering of suspects” who they say posed a threat to troops were told to move away. The army then fired “warning shots”, the military added, but disputed the deaths.
The GHF also said no killings took place at or around their sites today.
If you're just joining us:
Wednesday 30 July 2025 16:15 , Steffie Banatvala- A UN-backed food security monitor yesterday alerted that a ‘worst-case famine scenario' is unfolding in Gaza
- Israel's foreign minister denied accusations that it's withholding aid, claiming it is a “lie”
- The UK pledged to recognise Palestine as a state in September unless Israel took steps to end the war in Gaza, after Sir Keir Starmer convened an emergency cabinet meeting
- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back and accused Sir Keir of ‘rewarding Hamas’
- British charities and MPs also criticised the move, accusing Sir Keir of using Palestinian statehood as a ‘bargaining chip’
- Key Arab countries signed an unprecedented declaration, along with 14 other countries including Britain and France, telling Hamas to disarm and surrender control
