US Warns Palestinian State Recognition Will Escalate Regional Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that international recognition of a Palestinian state would exacerbate conflict and hinder ceasefire efforts, describing such recognition as "fake" and likely to provoke further violence. He emphasized that these moves would not bring peace but instead strengthen Hamas and increase instability in Gaza, cautioning countries against following France and others in recognizing Palestinian statehood. France plans to officially recognize Palestine at a UN summit, while Israel's far-right Finance Minister has called for annexing parts of the West Bank, a move the United Arab Emirates has warned would jeopardize the Abraham Accords. Meanwhile, concerns grow over Israel's impending military operations in Gaza, which are expected to displace up to one million Palestinians, prompting calls from international figures like Halimah Yacob to recognize Palestinian statehood to prevent the normalization of injustice. Despite these pressures, the U.S. remains firm in its stance that recognition will create more problems and complicate the prospects for peace. The situation highlights the deepening divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the uncertain future of the two-state solution.