Gaza ceasefire negotiations hit a wall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump declared Hamas "unwilling to deal," shifting focus to "alternative strategies." Meanwhile, France stuns allies by becoming the first major Western nation to recognize Palestinian statehood. Here's the breakdown:
💥 Talks Collapse, Tensions Rise
Netanyahu accused Hamas of rejecting hostage-release terms, while Trump claimed Hamas leaders "want to die." Both countries withdrew delegations from Qatar-mediated talks, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for the impasse. Hamas official Basem Naim countered, calling proposals "constructive" but accusing Israel of lacking political will.
🍞 Hunger Crisis Deepens
As talks stall, Gaza faces catastrophic food shortages. UN agencies warn therapeutic food for malnourished children is nearly gone. Israel now permits airdrops but faces criticism for restricting ground aid. Hamas calls it "a stunt" while 9 more Palestinians reportedly die daily from starvation-related causes.
🇫🇷 Macron's Bold Move
France's recognition of Palestine drew swift backlash from Israel and the U.S., with Trump dismissing it as irrelevant. Germany and Britain declined to follow suit, prioritizing ceasefire efforts. Netanyahu labeled the move "a reward for terrorism" amid ongoing airstrikes that killed 21 Gazans Friday.
📸 Journalist Killed in Strike
Gaza journalist Adam Abu Harbid became the latest media casualty, killed in a tent camp strike. Colleagues accuse Israel of targeting reporters—a claim Israel denies. Over 60,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, per Gaza health officials.
