Recognition of a Palestinian state would be too great a reward for Hamas, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (September 23), repeating his call for the release of hostages - dead or alive - still held by the militant group in Gaza.

Trump called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. Those who supported peace should united in demanding the release of the hostages, he said in a speech at the United Nations.

"As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists, for their atrocities," he said.

Dozens of world leaders gathered at the United Nations have embraced recognition of a Palestinian state, a landmark diplomatic shift after nearly two years of war that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally the United States.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UNITED NATIONS (SEPTEMBER 23, 2025) (UNTV – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP APPROACHING LECTERN TO ADDRESS THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:

“As everyone knows, I have also been deeply engaged in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza.

Have to get that done. Have to it done.

Unfortunately, Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace. We can't forget October 7th, can we?

Now, as if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities. This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7th, even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept a ceasefire. Instead of giving to Hamas and giving so much, because they've taken so much, they have taken so many - this could have been solved so long ago - but instead of giving in to Hamas's ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message; Release the hostages now. Just release the hostages now.”

3. WIDE OF TRUMP AT THE UNGA

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

“As we have got to come together, and we will come together [unclear] get it done, we have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have stop it. We have get it done. We have to negotiate, immediately have to negotiate peace.

We’ve got to get the hostages back. We want all 20 back. We don't want two and four.

As you know, I got, along with Steve Witkoff and others that helped us, Marco Rubio, we got most of them back. We were involved in all of them. But I always said, the last 20 are going to be the hardest, and that's exactly what happened. We have to get them back now. We don't want to get back two and then another two and then one and then three, have this process. No, we want them all back, and we want the, actually 38 dead bodies back, too. Those parents came to me, and they want them back, and they wanted back very quickly and very badly. As though they were alive, they want them. They want him every bit as much as if their son or daughter were alive.”

5. WIDE OF TRUMP SPEAKING