Middle East: France to formally recognize Palestinian state

French President Emmanuel Macron said France will formally recognize Palestinian statehood in September.

It comes as Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with media outlets urging Israel to open Gaza to journalists. 

Meanwhile, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said the US is withdrawing from Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar. Witkoff accused Hamas of taking a "selfish position." Hamas, which carried out the October 7, 2023 terror attacks, continues to hold Israeli hostages.     

Here is a roundup of developments in Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Thursday, July 24.

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

France will 'recognize' a Palestinian state, says Macron

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."

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

Starmer wants 'two-state solution' that 'guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis'

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."

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

Trump envoy Witkoff says US withdrawing from Gaza talks

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.

Steve Witkoff, a close friend of Donald Trump, had been tasked with reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza (FILE: February 18, 2025) Image: Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS

"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."  

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

Israel recalls Gaza negotiators after Hamas response

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.

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

Israel reviews new Hamas truce proposal as strikes continue

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.

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

News groups urge Israel to open Gaza to journalists

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.

07/24/2025July 24, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

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.