The United States joined Israel on Thursday in pulling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for failing to reach a deal and saying Washington would "consider alternative options".

France meanwhile announced it would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, a move President Emmanuel Macron said can "contribute to the security of all in the Middle East".

In Qatar, mediators have been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas delegations for more than two weeks in a bid to secure a breakthrough in indirect talks for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages after nearly two years of fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was still seeking a ceasefire despite recalling its negotiators from Doha, accusing Hamas of blocking an agreement.

Pressure is mounting over the plight of the more than two million Palestinians in Gaza, where the fighting has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis and warnings that "mass starvation" was spreading.

After Hamas submitted its response to mediators on the latest ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu's office said Israeli negotiators were returning for........

© Al Monitor