The US has blamed France for the collapse in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas due to its decision 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 and it led to a breakdown in talks that hoped to finally yield an end to the 22-month war.

“Talks with Hamas fell apart on the day Macron made the unilateral decision that he’s going to recognise the Palestinian state,” Mr Rubio said in an interview with the Catholic Eternal Word Television Network.