In a move toward "lasting peace in the Middle East," Macron says, "France will recognize the state of Palestine."

Airdrops of food have resumed in Gaza, Israel and the United Arab Emirates said, as deaths from starvation in the besieged enclave spread.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists waved flags and unfurled banners on Wednesday as the Tour de France peloton rode through Dieulefit, a southeastern French town honoured as a "Town of the Just" for sheltering Jewish people during World War Two.

Yesterday, Israel said it will allow airdrops of aid by foreign countries into Gaza to alleviate starvation in the Palestinian territory, where there is widespread devastation. A readout of Starmer’s call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had no mention of the issue of Palestinian statehood.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy will hold an emergency call on Friday to talk about the deteriorating conditions in Gaza as more than 100 aid groups warn mass starvation is fast approaching,

The breakdown comes at a critical time amid reports of mass starvation in Gaza, while President Macron says France will officially recognise Palestine as a state.

News agencies including AFP, AP, BBC and Reuters issued a joint statement about Gaza journalists unable to feed themselves amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions on Thursday.

Macron's announcement followed his visit to Egypt's border with Gaza in April where he witnessed the scale of the humanitarian crisis.