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.

Hamas expresses "surprise" after US envoy Steve Witkoff also accuses the group of showing "a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire".

President Donald Trump signalled Friday to reporters that Israel should escalate its offensive in Gaza, accusing Hamas of not wanting a ceasefire deal following months of negotiations. “Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal,

The United Nations and experts say that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with reports of increasing numbers of people dying from causes related to malnutrition.

"The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now," a joint statement from the three countries reads.

Israel will allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday, Israeli army radio quoted a military official as saying. An Israeli military spokesperson did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment on the report.

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were expected to begin airdrops in the coming days, but experts warned that the bulk of necessary aid could come only by land.

"I will make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September," President Macron said.

France has announced it will recognize the state of Palestine, a move that could shift discussions about the Middle East's future