The US has blamed France for the collapse of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas because it agreed to recognise Palestine as a state.

Marco Rubio , the US secretary of state, said the Palestinian terror group was “emboldened” by Emmanuel Macron’s decision last month, leading to a breakdown in talks that might have ended the 22-month war.

Mr Rubio told the Catholic Eternal Word TV network: “Talks with Hamas fell apart on the day Macron made the unilateral decision that he’s going to recognise the Palestinian state.”

On July 24, France said it would recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, becoming the first G7 country or member of the UN Security Council to do so.

Mr Rubio at the time said the US “strongly rejects” the “reckless” decision and call

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