On July 24, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestine as a state, in pursuance of what he called a "historic commitment to a just and lasting peace" in the Middle East.
In a post on social network X, President Macron said that this issue will be raised by him at the United Nations General Assembly in September, held in New York (USA).
"The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue civilians," Macron wrote.
With President Macron's decision, France will be the first country in the G7, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan and Italy, to officially recognize Palestine as a state.
The move comes as the Trump administration is trying to end hostile acts between Israel and Hamas.
Also on July 24, US special missionary to the Middle East, Mr. Steve Witkoff, said that Washington had decided to bring its negotiating group back to the country for consultations after Hamas' moves that were believed to want a ceasefire agreement.
The deal is expected to call for a 60-day ceasefire, in which Hamas will release 10 surplus hostages and the remains of 18 other hostages in stages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Humanitarian aid shipments will also be increased, and both sides will hold talks towards a long-term ceasefire.
Previously, negotiations were stalled due to conflicting demands for an end to the war.
Hamas is determined to return all hostages in exchange for Israel's complete withdrawal and an end to hostile actions. On the other hand, Israel has refused to agree to end its operation until Hamas gives up power and deactivates its armaments, a condition the group denies.
The conflict began in October 2023 after Hamas' attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people. So far, the conflict has claimed the lives of more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
