JAKARTA - Israel again said the recognition of the Palestinian State as a reward for Hamas and was detrimental to efforts to reach a ceasefire, as Canada announced plans to recognize the Palestinian State.
Canadian announcements come in line with plans by a number of countries to recognize the Palestinian State, including France and Britain, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Administration as the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens.
"Israel rejects the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"The current change in the position of the Canadian government is a gift for Hamas and is detrimental to efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," he continued.
Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday said his country plans to recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations' 80th General Assembly in September.
The announcement comes after France said last week it would recognize the Palestinian state, and a day after Britain said it would recognize the country at the United Nations if fighting in Gaza, part of Israel's occupied Palestinian territory, had not stopped until then.
"We are working with other parties, to maintain a possible two-state solution, not to allow facts on the ground, deaths on the ground, settlements on the ground, seizures on the ground, to reach an unlikely point," said PM Carney.
He told reporters the planned move was based on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reform, including a commitment to reform its government and to hold elections in 2026 where Hamas "cannot play a role."
The announcement of some of Israel's closest allies reflects growing international anger over the terrible humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking with Carney before the Canadian announcement, said Palestinian recognition would "liven the prospect of peace in the region."
Earlier, Israel and PM Netanyahu said they rejected Britain's statement to recognize the Palestinian State, calling it a gift for the Hamas group. This is firmly denied by Britain.
"This is not a gift for Hamas. Hamas is a heinous terrorist organization that has committed terrible atrocities. It is about the Palestinian people. It is about children we see in Gaza who are starving to death," he told LBC radio UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander appointed by the government to answer questions in a series of media interviews.
"We must increase pressure on the Israeli government to lift restrictions so that aid can return to Gaza," he said.
It is known that the latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 people dead and 251 others held hostage according to Israeli calculations.
Israel responded to this by blocking, airstrikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip region.
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Israel and the Palestinian militant group agreed to a ceasefire as well as exchange of hostages and detainees on January 19. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are believed to be still alive. The majority of the initial hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations, although the Israeli military has also released several hostages.
On March 2, Israel again carried out a total blockade against Gaza on the pretext of pressuring Palestinian militant groups to agree on a ceasefire proposed by the United States and a exchange of hostages. Over the end of the ceasefire agreement, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18.
Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday, until yesterday the Palestinian death toll since October 2023 had reached 60,138 people, while the injured reached 146,269 people, quoted from Anadolu.
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