Middle East: France to formally recognize Palestinian state

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday sharply criticized France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state and called the decision "reckless."

"The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state," Rubio wrote on X. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." 

 

The Palestinian Authority on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' deputy Hussein al-Sheikh said the decision "reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state."

Earlier on Thursday, Macron published a letter sent to Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition.

The militant group Hamas called Macron's pledge a "positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination."

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also welcomed the French decision to join Spain in recognizing an independent Palestinian state, saying it would "protect" a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution," the Spanish PM posted on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state is a move that "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became."

"We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre," Netanyahu wrote on X.

"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel," he said.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has hit back over French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that he will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

"Macron's announcement of his intention to recognize a Palestinian state is a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism, granting a reward and encouragement to the murderers and rapists of Hamas, who carried out the most horrific massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust," Katz posted on X.

"Instead of standing with Israel in this time of trial, the French president is acting to weaken it. We will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence, and undermine our historical right to the Land of Israel. We are all united to prevent this grave danger."

France will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make a formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September," Macron posted on social media.

"The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he would have an "emergency call" on Friday with France and Germany regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Starmer called for a ceasefire and steps toward "a Palestinian state."

"I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace," he said in a statement.

"A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis."

The Trump administration's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has said the US is cutting short its negotiating efforts for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"We have decided to bring our home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza," Witkoff posted on X, referring to talks that had been ongoing in Doha, Qatar.

"While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," Witkoff added. He said the US will consider "alternative options" to bring hostages home and "create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza."  

Israel has recalled its ceasefire negotiating team from Doha for consultations after receiving Hamas' response to the latest 60-day truce proposal.

"In light of the response Hamas provided this morning, it has been decided to return the negotiating team to continue consultations in Israel," said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The statement also acknowledged the efforts of mediators Qatar and Egypt, as well as US envoy Steve Witkoff, to advance the talks.

Israel has been reviewing a revised response from Hamas to a proposed ceasefire and hostage deal, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Hamas confirmed it had submitted a new proposal but did not disclose the details. A prior version, delivered Tuesday, was deemed insufficient by mediators and was not forwarded to Israel, sources familiar with the talks said.

Both sides have come under intense domestic and international pressure to reach an agreement, as conditions in Gaza have continued to deteriorate amid widespread hunger.

A senior Israeli official told local media the new text was workable. However, Channel 12 reported that a rapid agreement remained unlikely, with key disputes unresolved — particularly over the Israeli military's positioning during any truce.

A Palestinian official close to the talks told Reuters the Hamas response was "flexible, positive and took into consideration the growing suffering in Gaza and the need to stop the starvation."

Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, Israel and Germany.

International news agencies have renewed calls for Israel to allow journalists into and out of Gaza as conditions worsen.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, reporters have only been able to enter Gaza under Israeli military escort and with strict rules on their reporting.

With Gaza sealed off, global news outlets rely heavily on local Palestinian journalists for photo, video and text reporting.

Reporters Without Borders, Agence France-Presse (AFP),The Associated Press (AP), Reuters and the BBC said Thursday they are "desperately concerned" for their reporters in Gaza, who are struggling to find enough food for themselves and their families.

In a joint statement, the organizations said journalists are used to facing hardship in conflict zones, but the threat of starvation has now become a grave concern.

"For many months, these independent journalists have been the world's eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza," the statement said. "They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering."

"We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there," the statement added.

Reporters Without Borders said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.

Earlier this week, AFP said it was alarmed by "the appalling situation" facing its staff. It said the conditions were now so dire that they were increasingly unable to work.

Israel has said it remains committed to allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza but insists on maintaining strict controls to prevent supplies from being diverted by militants. Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza at the start of March and reopened access under tighter restrictions in May.

You join us as Israel says it is reviewing a revised response from Hamas to a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Hamas has confirmed submitting a new proposal, but has not revealed its contents. Sources familiar with the talks told news agencies that mediators rejected a previous draft handed in late Tuesday and did not pass it on to Israel.

Both sides have been under growing domestic and international pressure to reach a deal. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have sharply deteriorated, with widespread hunger across the enclave drawing global concern.

More than 100 aid and rights groups on Wednesday warned that "mass starvation" is spreading in Gaza, home to over 2 million Palestinians.

Follow along as DW brings you the latest reports, explainers and analysis on developments across the Middle East.