Almost a month into the war between Israel and Hamas, the European Union is still struggling to speak with one voice. While EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed unconditional support for Israel, some of her own staff have signed a letter criticising her position, along with employees from other EU institutions. Some EU member states continue to express strong support for Israel, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, while others worry that such stances may harm the bloc’s image.

EU leaders on Thursday failed to convince Kosovo and Serbia to make a breakthrough in the protracted push to normalise ties between the two Balkan neighbours.

Last year, ferocious wildfires destroyed thousands of hectares of one of France’s most picturesque forests. Now French authorities are battling an invasion of beetles that are devouring the weakened pines of La Teste-de-Buch, in the southwestern region of Gironde.

EU leaders will on Thursday debate whether to call for a “humanitarian pause” or “pauses” in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. FRANCE 24’s Dave Keating reports.

‘Rest in peace, Ju, and may your light continue to shine in our hearts.’

Hamas frees two hostages who had been held captive in Gaza, as confirmed by both the Palestinian group and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The release came after mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt, with a spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing announcing the captives’ freedom.