Over 85 Palestinians have lost their lives across Gaza, including 12 victims at a temporary shelter, as global leaders urge an end to the conflict during the UN General Assembly.
A recent airstrike on a stadium serving as a refuge for displaced families in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp has claimed the lives of at least 12 Palestinians, including seven women and two children. Despite international demands for a ceasefire voiced at the United Nations General Assembly, Israel has continued its aggressive military operations unabated.
The al-Ahli Stadium, repurposed as a sanctuary for Palestinians escaping the ongoing Israeli bombardment, was the scene of this tragic attack on Wednesday.
Najwa, a woman forced to flee her home in Gaza City, shared with Al Jazeera, “I left with nothing but what I held in my hands. We live in fear. Transportation costs are prohibitive, and we cannot afford to bring our belongings.”
Escalation of Violence
Overnight, the Israeli offensive in Gaza escalated sharply, resulting in the deaths of at least 85 Palestinians across the region on Wednesday alone-more than twice the fatalities recorded the previous day.
The United Nations has condemned Israel’s war/” title=”Netanyahu Admits … … Prolonged Isolation Amid … …”>military actions, stating they are “spreading terror among Gaza City’s Palestinian residents and forcing tens of thousands to flee.” In contrast, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir asserted that the southward displacement of Palestinians is a protective measure for their safety.
However, UN investigators have dismissed these assertions. A recent inquiry concluded that Israel’s strategy aims to solidify permanent control over Gaza while maintaining a Jewish demographic majority in both the occupied West Bank and within Israel itself.
Zamir further claimed that “the majority of Gaza’s population has already evacuated Gaza City” and vowed that the military would persist with a “systematic and comprehensive advance” into the enclave’s largest urban area.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, the conflict has resulted in at least 65,419 Palestinian deaths and 167,160 injuries, with countless others presumed trapped beneath collapsed structures. Israel initiated this campaign in retaliation for a Hamas-led assault that killed 1,139 Israelis and took approximately 200 hostages, over 40 of whom remain in Gaza.
Global Outcry at the United Nations
The ongoing war in Gaza has dominated discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York, eliciting widespread condemnation from international leaders.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the assembly, stating, “Those who show no compassion for human suffering cannot claim the title of humanity. Perpetrators who kill children are unworthy of trust or partnership.”
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa echoed calls for an immediate ceasefire, affirming, “We stand in solidarity with Gaza’s people, especially its women and children, and all those subjected to aggression. The war must end now.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide revealed to Al Jazeera that discreet negotiations are underway to resolve the conflict, building upon the “New York Declaration” framework endorsed by 142 nations in July.
“Those closest to Israel’s position are beginning to recognize that this endless, futile war cannot continue, including the United States,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism, stating Washington is “hopeful and confident that a breakthrough will be announced in the coming days,” confirming that former President Donald Trump’s 21-point peace proposal has been shared with global leaders.
Nonetheless, previous peace initiatives have been obstructed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier this month, Netanyahu ordered the targeted killing of Hamas officials meeting in Doha to discuss Trump’s peace plan.
Netanyahu withdrew from the last ceasefire agreement on March 18, subsequently launching intense air raids and enforcing a comprehensive blockade that has led to widespread famine and deaths from starvation. He currently faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
As Israel faces growing international isolation, protests have erupted in Tel Aviv. Hundreds gathered at Ben Gurion Airport to voice opposition to Netanyahu as he departed for the UN session.
Prior to his departure, the Israeli prime minister reiterated his rejection of international calls for a Palestinian state, with his office stating, “The disgraceful capitulation of some leaders to Palestinian terrorism will not constrain Israel in any way.”
