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

The announcement sets France apart from the United States and most of its close allies, and could cause friction with President Trump.

When Macron visited the Egyptian town of Al-Arish on the border with Gaza in April, he was struck by the mounting humanitarian crisis and made clear on his return home that Paris would soon opt for recognition.

Arson attacks on France’s rail network have taken place in what police say is a "massive attack to destabilize the railway system," hours before the Olympic Games begin.

France condemned coordinated “acts of sabotage” on high-speed rail lines, which caused mass disruptions before the Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Olympic Games.

France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple “malicious” acts including arson on Friday, in what has been described as “an attack on France” and “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.