Washington, 25 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The United States has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that he will recognize a Palestinian state, calling the move reckless and damaging to peace efforts.

"This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on social media platform X on Thursday.

The move was "a slap in the face" to the victims of the October 7, 2023, massacre carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel.

Macron said on Thursday on X that he intends to formally recognize Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Rubio's statement echoed criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Macron's move would reward terrorism. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 abducted to Gaza, triggered the war between Israel and the militant group.

The United States remains Israel's closest ally.