After weeks of rising concern about hunger in Gaza, a United Nations-backed panel has declared that famine is underway in northern Gaza, warning that more than half a million people are on the brink of starvation as hunger spreads deeper into the densely populated Palestinian enclave.

Britain and France were among 21 countries to sign a joint statement Thursday calling Israel's approval of a major settlement project in the West Bank "unacceptable and a violation of international law".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of stoking anti-Semitism by moving to recognize the state of Palestine. The Elysee Palace has said that the allegations “will not go unanswered.”

Israel approved a major settlement project on Wednesday in an area of the occupied West Bank that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Condemnations poured in from the United Nations, the EU and media rights groups Monday after an Israeli strike killed an Al Jazeera news team in Gaza, as Palestinians mourned the journalists and Israel accused one of them of being a Hamas militant.

The head of Iran's top security body, Ali Larijani, will visit Iraq on Monday before heading to Lebanon, where the government has approved a plan to disarm Tehran's ally Hezbollah, state media said.

A recent batch of humanitarian aid airdropped into Gaza landed directly on a camp housing displaced Palestinians, crushing multiple tents, footage circulating online shows.

Arab countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined calls on Tuesday for Hamas to disarm and end its rule of Gaza, in a bid to end the devastating war in the Palestinian territory.

Britain on Wednesday rejected criticism that it was rewarding fighter group Hamas by setting out plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to improve the situation in Gaza and bring about peace.

Iran said on Monday that its military capabilities were not up for negotiations, after France called for a "comprehensive deal" with Tehran that covers its missile programme and regional influence.

More than 1,000 rabbis from around the world have accused Israel of weaponizing hunger in Gaza and urged West Jerusalem to allow aid into the enclave.

Moved by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Egyptians have launched a symbolic campaign called “From Sea to Sea – A Bottle of Hope,” sending bottles filled with dry food across the Mediterranean in hopes they reach those starving under blockade