Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 26, urging an end to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas militants. He emphasized that Israel's actions have devastated Gaza, making it uninhabitable for its residents.
"This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people," Abbas declared to the assembly of 193 member states.
The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken back to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel's military has conducted extensive bombing campaigns in the region, leading to more than 41,000 Palestinian fatalities and displacing nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, according to Palestinian health officials.
Despite efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages, Abbas called for a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, an end to Israeli settlers' attacks in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. He firmly stated that no part of Gaza should be taken and that the Palestinian Authority should control all Palestinian territories.
Abbas also highlighted the need for the Palestinian Authority to manage the border checkpoints, particularly the Rafah international border, and mentioned plans for elections once the conflict subsides.
In response, Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon accused Abbas of speaking about peace at the U.N. while failing to condemn the October 7 attack by Hamas that initiated the conflict.
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