Efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza suffered another major setback this week as both Israel and the United States pulled their negotiating teams from talks in Qatar's Doha for consultations, citing a lack of progress and accusing Hamas of insincerity. The development comes amid an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and rising international diplomatic friction over the path toward a lasting peace.

U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Thursday that Hamas had failed to act in good faith during the latest round of talks, calling the group's response to a 60-day ceasefire proposal "selfish." He announced that the U.S. team was returning home to reassess its approach and consider "alternative options" for achieving a truce and securing the release of Israeli hostages.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News, citing a source close to the negotiations, reported that "the talks did not collapse."

"This is a coordinated move between all parties," it reported. "There are fateful decisions that need to be made, and that is why the delegation returned for further consultations. The momentum is still positive."

Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff's remarks, adding that the group's position had been welcomed by mediators and had opened the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement. "The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles," Hamas said in a statement.

According to Kan TV News, Hamas's current demands include the release of 200 militants and 2,000 civilians detained after the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. Kan TV claimed these numbers are much higher than what Israel agreed to in the mediators' proposal, which includes the release of about 120 militants and 1,200 civilians.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly. As of Thursday, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 59,210 Palestinian deaths and over 143,040 injuries, according to Gaza-based health authorities.

On Thursday, the health authorities reported four more deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the toll to 115 since March.

Gaza "is in dire need of at least 500,000 bags of flour per week to avoid a complete humanitarian collapse," the Hamas-run government media office said Thursday in a press statement.

Several UN agencies have also warned of the "dire" hunger crisis in Gaza.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a stark warning on Thursday, saying the Palestinian people were facing "the biggest humanitarian catastrophe" of their time. Speaking on Palestine TV, Abbas condemned what he described as Israel's targeting of aid centers and restrictions on basic supplies, labeling such actions as war crimes for which Israel bears full responsibility.

Abbas reiterated calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, the release of withheld Palestinian tax revenues, and the restoration of full Palestinian Authority governance over Gaza. He also criticized a recent Israeli Knesset motion to assert sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, calling it a serious provocation and a blow to Palestinian rights and statehood aspirations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suffering and starvation in Gaza was an "unspeakable and indefensible" humanitarian catastrophe, and called on Israel to urgently allow aid in.

"While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe," Starmer said in a statement.

In a parallel diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France intends to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Abbas made public on Thursday, Macron said the decision reflects France's "historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East."

"True to its historic commitment to peace, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine," Macron wrote. The move would make France the first major Western power to take this step, potentially shifting momentum toward broader international recognition.

The announcement was met with sharp criticism from Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that such recognition would "reward terror" and create conditions for further instability. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the move "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism," and emphasized that Israel would not accept the establishment of any Palestinian entity that undermines its security.

In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed any steps that would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, saying such a move could go against U.S. foreign policy interests and draw consequences.

(With input from agencies)