Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a scathing critique of Israel's military actions in Gaza during a UN General Assembly address on Thursday, calling the conflict "one of the most horrific chapters of humanitarian tragedy" in modern history. Speaking via video link, Abbas accused Israeli forces of waging a "war of genocide" that has killed or injured over 220,000 Palestinians, predominantly children, women, and the elderly.
"After almost two years, our people in Gaza face genocide, destruction, and forced displacement," Abbas stated, urging international accountability. He simultaneously condemned Hamas' October 7 attacks as unrepresentative of Palestinian aspirations for statehood, asserting that Gaza remains "an integral part of the State of Palestine" under the Palestinian Authority's governance.
The remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed opposition to Palestinian statehood ahead of his UN speech. Israeli military operations in Gaza City intensified this week, with Gaza health authorities reporting at least 65,419 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.
Abbas also denounced Israel's West Bank settlement expansion and settler violence, warning these actions jeopardize the two-state solution. His dual condemnation of both Israeli policies and Hamas tactics underscores the complex political landscape facing Palestinian leadership.
