French President Emmanuel Macron announced today that France will recognize the State of Palestine in September, a decision met with strong condemnation from Israel and the United States. Macron stated his commitment during a message outlining France's decision to move forward with recognition, which he will formally announce at the United Nations General Assembly. He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and massive humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned Macron's decision, calling it a "reward for terror" that "risks creating another Iranian proxy" and could serve as a "launch pad to annihilate Israel." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also condemned the move, stating it is "submission to terrorism." Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yair Lapid described the decision as "direct aid to terrorism." Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's Minister of Finance, stated that the decision provides "yet another compelling reason to finally apply Israeli sovereignty over the historic regions of Judea and Samaria." Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, called Macron's declaration "a disgrace and submission of terrorism and a prize and a back spirit to the Hamas and Hamas bins, who have performed the most terrible massacre in the Jewish people since the Holocaust." U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee stated that the United States will oppose France's declaration of a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, concerns are rising about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with one humanitarian official warning that starvation in Gaza has "passed the tipping point," potentially leading to "mass-scale starvation mortality." Reports indicate that approximately 730 trucks of food are stuck inside the Gaza Strip, with the UN refusing to distribute them, rejecting safe routes offered by the IDF and refusing to work with the GHF, which is reportedly delivering aid without Hamas interference. The UN's insistence on using a "broken system" that allegedly allows Hamas to steal and sell food is cited as a reason Gazans are going hungry and the situation is being pushed towards starvation. Macron's announcement comes as the Qatar-based mediation team has withdrawn from Doha for consultations following Hamas's latest response, which they stated "clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza." The mediators noted that Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith, and alternative options are being considered to bring hostages home and create a more stable environment in Gaza. The team expressed resolve in seeking an end to the conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza, calling Hamas's actions "selfish."
