“We must take the path of a recognition [of the Palestinian state]. So that’s what we’re gonna do in the coming months,” he says to France 5, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

He indicated that the step could be taken during the June United Nations conference, which is scheduled to be hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.

“Our goal is something like June with Saudi Arabia to hold this conference to finalize the mutual recognition movement by several countries," Macron said.

“I’ll do it because I think that at some point it would be fair. And also because I want to take part in a collective dynamic, one that allows everyone who defends Palestine to also recognize Israel," he said.

The French leader said he felt the move would ensure regional security.

Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign state by 146 out of 193 UN members so far, with Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados joining their ranks last year, reported Al Jazeera.

'Boost For Hamas'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reacted to Macron's proposal and said a unilateral recognition of Palestine will be a boost for Hamas.

In his X post, the Minister said: "A 'unilateral recognition' of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas."

"These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer - but the opposite: they only push them further away," he said.

Trump's  Riviera

In February,  President Donald Trump said the USA will 'take over' war-hit Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere.

Trump was quoted as saying by BBC: "The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site"

He further said: "Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area."

"We'll do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to be the same way it has for 100 years," he said.

Speaking on the authority of removing 1.8 million people from Gaza, Trump, whose inauguration took place on January 20, said: "I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East, and everybody I've spoken to, this was not a decision made lightly."

He said the US would create jobs after taking over the area.

(With inputs from IBNS)