US President Donald Trump has condemned moves by Western powers to recognise a Palestinian state, saying such steps would reward "horrible atrocities" by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said world powers should focus instead on securing the release of hostages held in Gaza, nearly two years after Hamas seized them in the deadly attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war.

France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have all recognised a Palestinian state in the past two days. Their moves were borne out of frustration with Israel over its offensive in Gaza and intended to promote a two-state solution, but have angered Israel and its close ally the United States.

"As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body

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