US President Donald Trump spoke with members of the press aboard Air Force One on Monday evening as he returned from a high-stakes diplomatic summit in Egypt, where he and a coalition of world leaders endorsed a new ceasefire agreement aimed at halting weeks of deadly fighting in Gaza. However, the president pointedly avoided committing to a position on the long-standing question of Palestinian statehood, an issue that once again surfaced in the wake of renewed peace discussions.
When asked directly whether he would support the creation or formal recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Trump shifted the focus away from political negotiations and emphasized reconstruction efforts instead.
“I’m not talking about a single state or two states—we’re not there yet,” Trump said. “Right now, we’re focused on rebuilding Gaza and making sure people have the basic things they need to survive.”
Speaking in his usual off-the-cuff style, Trump acknowledged the divisions surrounding the issue, noting that:
“A lot of people like the one-state solution. Some people like the two-state solution. We’ll have to see what happens. I haven’t commented on that yet.”
The summit in Cairo, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, brought together leaders from across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa in an attempt to prevent further escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas. During his address, el-Sisi stressed the historic weight of the moment, warning that the region may not get another chance to move toward lasting peace. He called it a “unique — and perhaps final — opportunity” to shape a future free from perpetual conflict.
Echoing long-standing international consensus, el-Sisi reiterated his country’s support for a negotiated two-state solution, saying it must be pursued in a way that ensures stability across the region.
“The two-state solution must be achieved in a manner that guarantees cooperation among the peoples of the region and builds a foundation for lasting peace,” he said.
Trump’s reluctance to endorse Palestinian statehood on Monday stands in contrast to growing international pressure on the United States to clarify its position. In recent weeks, several major US allies, including the United Kingdom and France, have signaled renewed openness to recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state—either now or as part of a finalized peace deal.
The president’s comments also follow his controversial remarks at last month’s United Nations General Assembly, where he criticized what he described as “rising momentum” behind a two-state plan. At the time, Trump argued that granting statehood now would effectively serve as “a reward for Hamas”, a statement that drew sharp backlash from Arab leaders and international human rights organizations.
While Trump has repeatedly said he wants to broker what he has called the “ultimate peace deal” in the Middle East, his administration has yet to publicly outline a detailed roadmap to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Monday’s remarks only deepened speculation over whether Washington still intends to play a leading role in future negotiations—or whether it has chosen to prioritize short-term ceasefires over long-term political solutions.
For now, Trump insists his focus remains humanitarian.
“We want to see the rebuilding of Gaza. People are suffering,” he said. “Before we talk borders and governments and treaties, we have to stop the destruction.”
Despite the ceasefire agreement, skepticism remains high, as past truces in Gaza have often collapsed within weeks. Regional analysts warn that without a broader political framework—and a clear stance on Palestinian statehood—this agreement risks becoming yet another temporary pause in a cycle of conflict with no end in sight.