“Poland certainly does not intend to send Polish soldiers to the Gaza Strip. We have our own security challenges,” he said.

The prime minister added that the government does not foresee formal participation in the Peace Council initiative. Any Polish presence, he said, would be strictly observational.

Tusk also dismissed the idea of financing reconstruction or development projects in Gaza, saying Poland must prioritise investment in its own cities and domestic needs.

The Rafah crossing had been closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side, halting the movement of people and aid. Its partial reopening is linked to a wider ceasefire framework and a multi-stage peace plan announced earlier this year, which aims to move from a truce towards reconstruction, new governance arrangements and the gradual restoration of access to Gaza.

Residents reported that water quickly overwhelmed their temporary shelters, washing away belongings and leaving families struggling to protect children and elderly relatives. Attempts to dig drainage channels in the sand were largely ineffective against the force of the storms.

Displaced parents described moving young children to safer locations while returning to flooded camps to recover what possessions they could. Many emphasised that tents provide little protection from harsh winter weather, calling for more durable solutions such as caravans.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, highlighted the impact on social media , noting that harsh winter conditions are compounding more than two years of suffering. He warned that people are surviving in flimsy, waterlogged tents and amid ruins, with their living conditions deteriorating further.

Local media reported that the storms have been deadly, with at least 17 people killed, including four children. Humanitarian agencies have cautioned that without improved shelter and protection, further casualties are likely as the winter season continues.

“China is committed to peaceful development, follows a policy of 'no first use' of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defence, and adheres to its nuclear testing moratorium,” Mao said.

Trump had claimed China, Russia , North Korea and Pakistan were all secretly testing nuclear weapons underground. 

He used this claim to preface the resumption of the US’ own tests — the first conducted in more than 30 years. 

“It's hoped that the US will earnestly abide by its obligations under the Treaty and its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing, and take concrete actions to uphold the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as well as global strategic balance and stability,” Mao said.

“Israel has exercised its right to self-defence and it would have required only a single decision to also avoid the countless unnecessary victims. Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down their arms… Then this war would have ended immediately,” Merz said.

Referring to civilian suffering, Merz added that “the children in Gaza , whose fate has personally affected me deeply, are victims of a situation created by the terrorist organisation Hamas.”

Erdogan sharply rejected the German leader’s assessment.“ Unfortunately, I cannot agree with one remark of the Chancellor,” he said, noting that “more than 60,000 children , women and elderly people have been killed.”

“Hamas does not have bombs. Hamas does not possess nuclear weapons. But all those weapons are in Israel’s hands,” Erdogan continued, accusing Israel of using heavy weaponry in recent strikes.

The Turkish president also criticised Germany’s stance.“Are you not seeing these things as Germany? Are you not following them as Germany? By striking Gaza — and more than that, by subjecting it to starvation and what amounts to extermination as a means of pressure — they have sought and continue to seek this,” he said.

“The peace deal… will have no bearing on the case that is before the International Court of Justice ,” he said. “Israel must respond to our pleadings by January next year. The court will then set a date for evidence to be presented,” he added.

South Africa launched the case in late 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza . According to Ramaphosa, accountability remains essential despite diplomatic progress.

“We cannot go forward without the healing that needs to take place,” he said, noting reports of over 67,000 deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza.

Ramaphosa welcomed the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners as a “confidence-building measure,” saying it should strengthen the ceasefire and open the door to renewed peace negotiations.

However, he insisted the ultimate goal must remain clear:

“Real peace means Palestine as an independent state, living side by side with Israel, both enjoying sovereignty and self-determination. That is what international law demands.”

So far, 20 living Hamas hostages have been exchanged for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under phase one of the peace deal.

The Brazilian leader used the occasion to call for renewed global efforts to end other ongoing conflicts. “If the world was able to resolve the issue of Israel, then it is time we start thinking about solving the problem of the war between Ukraine and Russia,” Lula said, describing the moment as one for “humanitarian reflection” and global cooperation.

Lula also urged countries that have supported Israel militarily to now contribute to peace efforts, emphasising that “the Palestinian people and the Jewish people will both be happier” once the region achieves stability.

The ceasefire, which took effect at noon on Friday, marks a major diplomatic breakthrough. Israeli authorities confirmed the release of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas freed 20 Israeli hostages. The truce follows the peace plan unveiled on 29 September by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which calls for a complete cessation of hostilities, the release of all captives, and full humanitarian access to Gaza.

Hamas conditionally accepted the US-brokered deal through Qatari and Egyptian mediation, pledging to release hostages if Israel commits to a lasting peace and full withdrawal from Gaza . The agreement has sparked cautious optimism that a permanent resolution to one of the world’s most protracted conflicts may finally be within reach.

“But,” he continued, “as the Chief of Staff said, the campaign is not yet finished. Great challenges still lie ahead of us, but also opportunities.”

The prime minister said he had faced “tremendous pressure from home and abroad” to halt the war, naming specific operations that drew international criticism, including the Israeli military's entry into Rafah and seizure of the Philadelphi Route. He also cited broader calls to withdraw from Gaza while regional threats remained.

“I firmly rejected all these pressures,” Netanyahu said, “because I had one and only one consideration in mind, the security of Israel.”

Netanyahu added that his military ops had 'trapped' Hamas: "We corner it from all sides in preparation for the next stages of the plan where Hamas will be disarmed and then dismantled.

On arrival, several recounted what they described as degrading treatment in Israeli custody.

”There has been humiliating and inhumane treatment throughout. We have been treated like animals,” one activist said. 

“When we were shouting and asking for insulin for one of the people , a 75-year-old comrade who had been asking for insulin for three days, one of the soldiers said they didn’t have doctors for animals in prison,” he added. “Another Mexican colleague, who was asking for medicine for her heart condition, said it was urgent, and he said it would only be urgent when her heart stopped, according to another of the people who was there.”

Others expressed relief but also worry about what they described as a continuing genocide in Gaza . 

“I am free and I am happy to be free, but my friends are still imprisoned in Israel, and Palestine is still not free. So all we can do is wait until everyone is free, until the genocide is stopped and Palestine is free,” an activist said.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of vessels attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza. None of the ships reached the enclave, with the closest being a vessel that had entered Gaza’s territorial waters but was intercepted by Israeli forces minutes away from the shore.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he was “proud that flotilla activists are being treated as terrorists,” adding, “Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the same conditions applied to terrorists.”

Supporters of the flotilla say the mission was peaceful and humanitarian, intended to deliver aid and highlight the ongoing blockade of Gaza. 

Footage spread by Israel-linked actors claimed no aid was on board the intercepted ships, an allegation Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have vehemently dismissed as “verifiably false” and a “systematic smear campaign.”

For its part, Israel has denounced the Spaniards’ inhumane treatment allegations as “fake news .” 

“As we said, Israel is keen to have all the participants of this provocation deported as quickly as possible, but some of them deliberately chose to prolong the legal deportation process, preferring to linger in Israel,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on social media . 

“All the legal rights of the participants in this PR stunt are fully upheld,” it continued. “Don’t believe the fake news they are spreading.”

While the 21 Spaniards are now home, hundreds of other activists from around the world remain in Israeli custody.

As in the recently concluded UN General Assembly, the Gaza conflict will likely dominate any encounter with the US president. Trump has positioned himself as a broker pushing Israel toward a ceasefire, but his close ties to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complicate regional perceptions.

Malaysia’s Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, said the summit provides ASEAN with a rare chance to directly confront Washington on the issue.

"Some have asked why a clearer message (of support for Palestine) wasn't sent by not inviting (Trump),” he said. "Actually, it would be easy for us to 'boycott' (the US), but the Prime Minister's (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) approach in many matters is that we need dialogue.”

"This is the most appropriate time to invite the US President. In addition to Malaysia stating its position, it gives other (summit) member countries the space to interact with and express their views to the US President," he continued.

Earlier this month, all ASEAN states backed a UN resolution reaffirming a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, while Washington was among just 10 countries voting against.

Trade, US tariffs

Malaysia’s decision to extend an invitation to Trump may be rooted in trade realities: the United States is now Malaysia’s largest export market, overtaking China. Bilateral trade has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching $78.3 billion in 2022.

Across the region, however, China remains ASEAN’s dominant partner , holding that position for 16 consecutive years. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, trade between China and ASEAN climbed to $597 billion, an 8.2% increase from the previous year.

In terms of overall strategic partnership, the US still holds an edge over China . A recent survey found 52.3% of Southeast Asian respondents favouring Washington as a long-term partner, compared with 47.7% for Beijing. These findings, however, came before Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, which have weighed heavily on ASEAN economies:

Regional defence

If and when Trump attends the October summit, regional defence will also be one of the main points expected to be raised with him. According to a Lowy Institute study, the US is Southeast Asia’s preferred military partner , specifically for joint exercises. 

Trump has already drawn himself directly into ASEAN disputes. In July, when border clashes flared between Cambodia and Thailand , the self-styled anti-war leader stepped in to mediate.

A 26 July phone call from Trump to the leaders of both countries helped break a deadlock in negotiations. Two days later, a ceasefire was signed in Malaysia, ending some of the heaviest fighting between the neighbours in years.

Cambodia has since nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “historic contributions in advancing world peace.”

But the truce remains fragile. Thailand is still under a transitional government led by Anutin Charnvirakul, after former premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted on ethics charges linked in part to the border dispute.

Bangkok is now weighing the possibility of a referendum on whether to revoke two long-standing border agreements with Cambodia as a way to defuse tensions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez put forward two proposals: full UN membership for Palestine and immediate steps to halt the bloodshed.“Spain will adopt a plan with measures to halt the genocide in Gaza ,” he said. “History will judge those who perpetrated this barbarity or remained silent. Let us side with rationality, with diplomacy.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the EU’s financial backing for Palestinian institutions.“Europe has been the lifeline of the Palestinian Authority, providing 1.6 billion euros. We will set up a dedicated instrument for Gaza's reconstruction and coordinate with other donors to relaunch the Palestinian economy,” she said.

From the Middle East , Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi warned that the conflict threatens the region far beyond Gaza.“Israel's military campaign targeted several countries, including Qatar, where an attack on Doha killed six civilians and violated international law. We hold the Israeli government fully responsible,” he told the gathering.

The UAE also weighed in, with Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar urging a renewed push for Palestinian statehood. He called for a “clear political horizon and binding roadmap for an independent Palestinian state.”

The remarks came as several Western nations — including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia — confirmed they will formally recognise the State of Palestine.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the move, insisting it would endanger Israel’s survival and “reward terrorism.”

The mounting international response comes against a backdrop of severe civilian harm in Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities , more than 60,000 people have died in the conflict, including a significant portion who are women, children, or the elderly.

Meanwhile, a new report by a UN Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, charging that official statements and ground operations show intent to inflict life-threatening conditions on civilians. Israel has rejected the report as biased.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood. He insists that recognising such a state now would risk Israel’s survival and constitute a reward for terrorism. These recognitions, meanwhile, are seen by many international actors as a symbolic but crucial step to signal shifting norms.

The ongoing debates at UNGA focus on the need for a ceasefire, reconstruction aid, inclusion in governance (excluding Hamas), and setting the conditions for a viable, independent Palestinian state.