TORONTO (TNND) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that the country will recognize a Palestinian state in September.

“Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," Carney said in a statement.

He said the move depends on the Palestinian Authority committing to much-needed reforms, holding elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and demilitarizing the Palestinian state.

"We reiterate that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist attack of October 7; that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine," Carney continued in his letter.

He explained that Canada opposed the recognition of Palestine outside of a negotiated two-state solution for many years, but that approach is no longer tenable due to "the pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people," Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, and the "ongoing failure by the Israeli government to preven the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza."

President Donald Trump commented on the announcement, saying it "will make it very hard" for the U.S. to reach a trade agreement with its northern neighbor.

“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,” Trump said in his Truth Social post. “That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!”

Canada is the third U.S. ally in recent days to announce its intention to recognize Palestine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a similar move on Tuesday, stating he would recognize a state of Palestine before the U.N. General Assembly in September, “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that he had decided France would recognize the State of Palestine "in line with France's historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace."

"An immediate ceasefire must be reached, the release of all hostages, and extensive humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza," Macron said in a statement. "The disarmament of Hamas, the security, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip must also be ensured. Finally, the State of Palestine must be established, its existence guaranteed, and, through its demilitarization and full recognition of the State of Israel, allowed to contribute to the security of the entire region."

More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe. Macron’s announcement last week made France the first Group of Seven country — and the largest in Europe — to say it would take that step.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians and operates under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.

A total of 89 children have died of malnutrition since the war began in Gaza. Israel denies there is any starvation in Gaza, rejecting accounts to the contrary from witnesses, U.N. agencies and aid groups, and says the focus on hunger undermines ceasefire efforts.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.