Only a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump seemed confident a deal was days away that would end the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and allow aid to flow into an enclave where people are starving to death.

Gaza ceasefire talks were dealt a new blow on Thursday when the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar, with the Trump administration saying Hamas is not acting in good faith.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France would recognize Palestine as a state, saying, 'The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.