France has announced plans to officially recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the first G7 nation to take such a step.
Palestinian leaders hailed the decision, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it rewards terror and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as reckless.
Diplomatic ripple effects
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to hold talks with French and German leaders today as pressure mounts on the UK to follow France’s lead.
Observers say the move could reshape Middle East diplomacy and test unity among Western allies.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has warned that the humanitarian system in Gaza is collapsing, with one in five children in Gaza City now malnourished.
Aid groups continue to urge Israel to allow more relief supplies, citing rising deaths from hunger.
Ceasefire talks falter
On Thursday, US and Israeli negotiators withdrew from Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of failing to act in good faith.
Hamas expressed surprise at the accusation, while Israeli officials insisted the negotiations had not fully collapsed.
Global implications
Analysts say France’s decision signals a bold shift in international policy amid an ongoing war and worsening humanitarian conditions.
The world now watches to see if more countries will follow suit or if tensions will deepen in an already fragile region.
