Meanwhile, the momentum towards an Israel-Palestinian two-state solution has come undone, with the postponement of a United Nations conference planned to discuss the future of the war-torn region.

Top-level UN conference on Palestinian statehood cancelled

“Whatever the circumstances, I have stated my determination to recognise the state of Palestine.”

It had also warned of possible consequences for those who took measures against Israel, raising pressure on the participants and making Macron’s potential decision to recognise a Palestinian state more complicated.

Hundreds killed near aid distribution sites

Israeli fire killed at least 50 people on Monday, nearly half of them near an aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Israeli fire killed at least 50 people, nearly half of them near an aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, according to local health authorities. Source: Getty / Anadolu

Medics said at least 23 of those people were killed and 200 others wounded near an aid distribution site in Rafah, the latest in daily mass shootings that have killed hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food.

Israel has put responsibility for distributing much of the aid it allows into Gaza into the hands of the GHF, which operates three sites in areas guarded by Israeli troops.