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

Israel and the United States angrily — and wrongly — condemned French president Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of a Palestinian state.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists waved flags and unfurled banners on Wednesday as the Tour de France peloton rode through Dieulefit, a southeastern French town honoured as a "Town of the Just" for sheltering Jewish people during World War Two.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state, amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza.

F rance will officially recognize the state of Palestine, "true to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday. "I will make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly" in September, Macron said in a statement.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rebuked France’s decision to move toward recognising the State of Palestine, warning that such symbolic gestures risk misleading the world into believing a solution exists when it does not.

President Donald Trump dismissed France’s recognition of Palestine as a state on Friday, saying it "doesn’t matter" and "doesn’t carry any weight."

Airdrops of food have resumed in Gaza, Israel and the United Arab Emirates said, as deaths from starvation in the besieged enclave spread.