The head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, used his speech at the U.N. General Assembly to denounce Israel and its offensive in the Gaza Strip, referring to it as a “genocidal war” against the Palestinian people. Abbas criticized Israel for destroying Gaza and making it unlivable, advocating for his government to govern post-war Gaza as part of an independent Palestinian state. However, Abbas has had little influence in Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007, and Israel does not consider him a reliable partner in governing the region.
Israel has justified its military operations in Gaza as necessary for self-defense, rejecting allegations of genocide. In response to Abbas’ speech, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized Abbas for failing to condemn Hamas for their actions, accusing him of hypocrisy and weakness in the face of terrorism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the General Assembly, with his visit expected to draw protests in New York as a result of Israel’s operations in Gaza that have resulted in significant casualties.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 41,500 Palestinians, with more than 96,000 others wounded. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that over half of the casualties have been women and children, including infants. This violence escalated after Hamas attackers entered Israel on October 7, leading to a strong Israeli response that has continued since then. Israel has also targeted Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, leading to civilian casualties on both sides of the border.
In response to the escalating violence, the United States, France, and other allies have called for an immediate 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations and prevent a full-scale war. Over 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes, adding to the total of 200,000 displaced individuals since the conflict began. Abbas highlighted the intolerable conditions in Gaza, where many homes and buildings have been destroyed, making life difficult for the residents.
Abbas called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, and granting his government a central role in any future governance of the region. He urged the global community to intervene and stop the violence, emphasizing the responsibility of the entire world for the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The situation in the region remains tense as the conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah continues to escalate.
