Hamas has reportedly welcomed Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine.

The decision was announced last night following a Cabinet meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said it believes the formal recognition of Palestine by T&T will assist in the achievement of a lasting peace by strengthening the growing international consensus on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

It adds that T&T has been a longstanding advocate of the two-State solution as the only credible path to peace and security for Palestinians, the Israelis and, by extension, the wider region.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Hamas said it considers this “a position in support of the right of our people to their land” at a time when they are being displaced and killed by the Israeli military.

It also reportedly said, “We call on all countries to support the right of our people to their land, and to establish their independent state with Quds [Jerusalem] as its capital, and to take measures that would force the occupation and its leaders to stop the genocide to which our people are being subjected in full view of the world.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Israel and Hamas should reach an agreement because of what is at stake.

In a statement shared on social media, he said, “For the sake of the people of Gaza, the hostages & their families, and the region & the wider world – I strongly encourage the government of Israel & Hamas leadership to reach an agreement in their negotiations. Without that, I fear the war will worsen exponentially.”