White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has failed to answer a question about whether the Trump administration is exerting pressure on countries that take part in an upcoming UN conference on the two-state solution, Al Jazeera reports.

Reuters said today that Washington had warned nations that participate in next week’s event that they could face diplomatic consequences if they take “anti-Israel actions”.

“Right now, the president views the situation in Israel and Gaza as deeply unfortunate and needing to end, and the president is realistic about the current state of affairs in this region of the world,” Leavitt replied, without addressing the question.

“That’s why the president has said the number-one focus and priority of the administration is to release all of hostages from Gaza and to end this conflict as soon as possible,” she said.

“Clearly, Gaza is an uninhabitable place. It needs to be rebuilt with the help of our Arab partners, and the president wants to see that happen, as well.”