Carney says Canada plans to recognise Palestinian state

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now.

Beginning with Canada, which has announced it will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

But he said that recognition of Palestine's statehood depends on the Palestinian Authority holding general elections in 2026, excluding participation by Hamas, and committing to demilitarization, alongside urgent governance reforms.

Carney also described conditions in Gaza as "intolerable," citing widespread humanitarian suffering.

The announcement follows France and the United Kingdom making similar conditional recognition pledges earlier this week.

Canada is also among 15 countries that co-signed the "New York Call," which calls for the recognition of Palestine's statehood and a push toward a two-state solution.

Israel's foreign ministry criticized Canada's move to recognize a Palestinian state, arguing that it rewards terrorism and undermines ceasefire negotiations.

Meanwhile, the UN World Food Program stated on Tuesday that it could officially declare a famine in the Gaza Strip unless conditions drastically improve.