Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday, during a United Nations meeting.

“We are working ourselves,with others,to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution,to not allow the facts on the ground,deaths on the ground,the settlements on the ground,the expropriations on the ground,to get to such an extent that this is not possible,” Carney stated.

Carney indicated this move is contingent upon the palestinian Authority’s commitment to reforms, including governance improvements and holding general elections next year, from which Hamas would be excluded.

Israel criticized Canada’s stance, labeling it a “reward for Hamas” that undermines efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the oct. 7, 2023, attack.

The Palestinian government has held non-member observer state status at the U.N. General Assembly as 2012, with recognition from over three-quarters of the assembly’s 193 member states.

The conflict in Gaza commenced with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 abductions, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza has led to over 60,000 deaths, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.