Another protester described the law as “barbarism in the 21st century” and accused Israel and the United States of justifying abuses under the banner of religion.

The protest is the latest in Spain to denounce Israeli policies toward Palestinians amid continued anger over the conflict.

Peressini said the group wants to end what it described as the use of hunger as a weapon of war, and accused Israel of trying to “exterminate and expel the Palestinian people.” He also cited a death toll of more than 70,000 Palestinians and alleged massive bombardment, figures and characterisations that could not be independently verified in the announcement.

Another activist, Celeste Fierro, said the mission was a response to what she called a “lie” ceasefire linked to US President Donald Trump , arguing that “the policy of ethnic cleansing and apartheid continue” and that activists therefore needed to keep up pressure through direct action.

The filing was made under Article 63 of the ICJ’s statute, which allows states that are parties to a treaty, in this case the 1948 Genocide Convention, to intervene when the court is interpreting that treaty, even if they are not a direct party to the dispute.

The ICJ’s case docket shows that Namibia, Hungary and Fiji also filed declarations of intervention on March 12, while the Netherlands and Iceland filed on March 11, widening international involvement in the long-running case.

South Africa launched the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza in breach of the Genocide Convention. Israel has strongly denied the allegation.

The case is still at the written-arguments stage. South Africa filed its main memorial in October 2024, and Israel has received extensions for its counter-memorial, with the latest deadline set for March 12. Any final ruling is expected to take years.

A ceasefire agreement came into effect on 10 October 2025. It was meant to calm the fighting and create space for relief efforts. The truce allowed for the safe return of 20 hostages and led to an increase in aid entering Gaza. But the violence did not completely stop. The Gaza health ministry says that at least 600 people have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began.

Israel, for its part, says four of its soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza since the truce took effect. Both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement, with blame traded back and forth as tensions remain high.

In January, the agreement moved into a second phase. Under this stage of the deal, Israel is expected to withdraw its troops further from Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, is due to yield control of the territory’s administration.

Israel has said reconstruction of the Gaza Strip cannot proceed until Hamas disarms. A senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Fuchs said the proposed two-month period was requested by the United States administration.

“We will evaluate it,” Fuchs said, adding that if the plan fails, the Israel Defence Forces would “complete the mission.”

Mardawi warned that any renewed military action would have “serious repercussions for the region,” saying Palestinians would not surrender their weapons while Israel maintains its military presence.

Talks over a second phase of a ceasefire began in mid-January, with Washington seeking progress on Hamas disarmament and the possible deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Hamas leaders, including Khaled Meshaal, have rejected calls to disarm while the conflict continues.

Health authorities in Gaza say tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since fighting escalated in October 2023, though the figures cannot be independently verified. Israel says it targets Hamas militants and blames the group for operating in civilian areas.

Negotiations mediated by regional partners are ongoing, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire terms as humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire.

The comments came after US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of President Donald Trump ’s “20-point plan” aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. This phase includes moving from a ceasefire to disarmament, setting up a technocratic administration, and beginning reconstruction work.

Here are the countries that have rejected the proposal and invitation to join;

France

French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace, his office confirmed on Monday. French officials said the decision was driven by concerns that the board’s powers would go far beyond transitional governance in Gaza and undermine the UN framework. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot pointed to the board’s charter, which refers to powers “in Gaza and elsewhere,” and warned that the authority granted to the chair was excessive. Under the proposal, Trump would be able to approve members, veto decisions taken by a majority and even choose his own successor. “This is very, very far from the Charter of the United Nations,” Barrot is quoted.

Norway

Norway has also formally declined Trump’s invitation. The prime minister’s office said the proposal raised serious legal and political questions and would require deeper dialogue. Oslo confirmed it would not join the Peace Board or attend the signing ceremony in Davos, citing concerns that the initiative runs counter to established international frameworks. Norwegian State Secretary Kristoffer Thoner said the US proposal required closer scrutiny, particularly in relation to existing international frameworks. “The American proposal raises a number of questions that require further dialogue with the United States,” Thoner said.

Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden would not participate in the Peace Board “with the text submitted so far.” Speaking in Davos, he indicated that the current proposal does not meet Sweden’s standards for international cooperation and governance.

Italy

Italy has also opted out of joining the Board of Peace. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that Rome would not join the initiative, citing concerns that participation in a body led by the president of a single country could violate Italy’s constitution. The Italian government has not publicly disputed the report.

Countries yet to respond

China

China has not issued any official confirmation or rejection of Trump’s invitation. Beijing’s position remains unclear as the initiative continues to evolve.

India

India has also not publicly responded to the invitation. New Delhi has so far avoided commenting on whether it will join or reject the proposed board.

Russia

Russia, despite its ongoing war with Ukraine has been invited by the US to be a member of the Peace Board. Addressing reporters Dmitry Peskov, presidential spokesman said: “President Putin also received through diplomatic channels an invitation to join this Board of Peace.” He added that Russia was reviewing the invitation and “hoping to get more details from the US side.”

Meanwhile, UN officials have stressed that there is only one universal body with global legitimacy in this area.

Kosovo also confirmed its participation on Wednesday. President Vjosa Osmani said she was honoured to be invited as a founding member, describing the move as standing “shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the pursuit of a safer world .”

“America helped bring peace to Kosovo. Today, Kosovo stands firmly as America’s ally, ready to help carry that peace forward,” Osmani wrote on X. Kosovo has been a close US ally since Washington backed its independence from Serbia in 2008.

UN response? The initiative has raised concerns about whether it could undermine the United Nations. La Neice Collins, spokesperson for the President of the UN General Assembly, said there is only one universal multilateral body mandated to deal with peace and security. “There is one universal multilateral organisation to deal with peace and security issues, and that is the United Nations,” she told RTÉ News . Collins added that the UN’s existing peace mechanisms are established through Security Council resolutions and have specific mandates, stressing that the UN remains the body authorised by the international community to handle global peace and security.

What is the Board of Peace?

According to the White House, the Board of Peace will play a central role in implementing Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict. It is meant to provide strategic oversight, mobilise international resources and ensure accountability as Gaza moves from war to reconstruction and development.

The board will be chaired by Trump and supported by a founding Executive Board made up of senior political and business figures, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump adviser Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, investor Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and Robert Gabriel.

Each executive board member will oversee specific areas such as governance , reconstruction, investment, funding and regional relations.

The preamble to the plan says, “durable peace requires pragmatic judgement, common sense solutions, and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed.”

Trump has suggested the board could eventually help broker other global conflicts, prompting comparisons to a parallel version of the UN Security Council.

So far, countries that have agreed to take part include Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, Belarus and Kosovo. Invitation letters have also been sent to leaders in Paraguay, Canada, Egypt and Turkey, while Russia, India, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm have confirmed receiving invitations.

India–Pakistan ceasefire agreement (South Asia)

In May 2025, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire after a period of heightened military tensions along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The agreement was welcomed as a significant diplomatic step toward reducing hostilities between two nuclear‑armed neighbours who have fought repeated clashes in the region for decades. However, in the weeks following the deal, there were reports of minor violations and exchanges of fire, illuminating the fragile and contested nature of the truce. Despite these challenges, the ceasefire created space for renewed diplomatic engagement and prevented further large‑scale escalation in 2025.

DRC–Rwanda peace agreement (Central/East Africa)

On 27 June 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a US‑brokered peace agreement aimed at stemming long‑running conflict and militia activity in eastern DRC. The accord outlined a timetable for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the creation of joint security mechanisms, along with broader frameworks for cooperation among Great Lakes states. Although widely seen as an important diplomatic breakthrough with the potential to stabilise the region, implementation has faced serious practical and security challenges. Militia activity, logistical obstacles, and mutual mistrust have slowed progress, and the agreement’s long‑term impact depends on sustained political will from both capitals.

Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire (Southeast Asia)

On 26 October 2025, Cambodia and Thailand signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, establishing an interim ceasefire and steps to de‑escalate longstanding border tensions. The agreement was backed by regional leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a visible role in encouraging both sides to halt hostilities. The accord included provisions such as coordinated troop withdrawals, joint de‑mining operations, and international monitoring to reduce accidental clashes along disputed frontier zones.

The deal was built on earlier ceasefire efforts mediated by Malaysia as ASEAN chair and supported by Trump, after months of sporadic clashes and large-scale displacement. While the agreement was widely hailed as a diplomatic success, skirmishes and disagreements over implementation persisted in some sectors. Renewed fighting in December 2025 prompted a special ASEAN ministerial meeting to revive and reinforce the peace process originally supported by regional leaders and Trump. Despite its challenges, the accord marked a significant step in structured cooperation between the two governments.

United Nations high-level conference on the Two-State Solution (Middle East)

In July 2025, the United Nations convened the Palestine Two‑State Solution Conference, a high-level meeting aimed at reinvigorating international efforts toward a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conference brought together representatives from countries across the Global South and other regions to discuss diplomatic strategies, coordinate international support, and identify concrete steps for sustained peacebuilding. The event fostered dialogue and strategic planning, it did not result in a binding agreement or a final political resolution, serving primarily as a forum to strengthen international coordination around the two-state solution framework.

Israel–Hamas ceasefire (Middle East)

In October 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a U.S.‑backed ceasefire to pause one of the most destructive phases of the Gaza conflict that began in October 2023. The first phase of the deal included Israel withdrawing forces to agreed positions inside Gaza and Hamas releasing hostages held since the 2023 attacks, while both sides pledged to reduce hostilities and allow increased humanitarian access across crossings. This agreement was hailed internationally as a significant step toward ending active large‑scale fighting after two years of intense conflict.

Despite the truce entering into force and creating periods of relative calm, the ceasefire has been fragile and contested. Both sides have accused one another of violations, and periodic exchanges of fire have occurred, complicating efforts to implement subsequent phases of the deal. Independent sources report that — even after the ceasefire — hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in incidents that local health authorities attribute to Israeli operations, and humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe, with disputes over aid delivery and access continuing to impede relief efforts.

The ceasefire has not yet resulted in a comprehensive political settlement to the broader Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. Negotiations over long‑term governance, security arrangements, and disarmament have stalled, and international pressure persists to ensure that the agreement holds and leads to expanded humanitarian and reconstruction initiatives.

Guyana–Venezuela — diplomatic talks over Essequibo dispute (South America)

In 2025, diplomatic engagement continued between Guyana and Venezuela over the long‑standing Essequibo territorial dispute. Regional organisations and international mediators worked to prevent escalation after a period of heightened tensions in prior years, and both governments engaged in dialogue to manage disagreements. Although no formal settlement was reached during this period, sustained diplomacy contributed to maintaining relative stability in northern South America. The case remains before the International Court of Justice, and continued negotiations have been viewed as crucial in preventing renewed conflict over the disputed territory.

Although many of these agreements and conferences did not result in final resolutions or full implementation, they represent important steps towards the peaceful management of complex conflicts. The persistence of tensions, implementation challenges, and the fragility of some accords demonstrate that diplomacy is an ongoing process, requiring sustained political commitment and international cooperation. The developments of 2025 underline the relevance of Global South participation and leadership in maintaining dialogue and coordinating international efforts to address geopolitical and humanitarian challenges that continue to affect millions of people worldwide.

According to the Home Affairs Department, many passengers arrived without return tickets, accommodation plans or verified departure records, and were told to bring only US dollars and personal essentials. Some were reportedly prevented from carrying luggage. Schreiber said this amounted not only to “systematic abuse” of visa rules but also exploitation of the travellers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier suggested the passengers had been “flushed out of Gaza ,” and intelligence agencies later confirmed that more charter flights were being planned. A Dubai-based broker had requested bulk quotes for additional flights, prompting the government to intervene.

Schreiber said South Africa “will not be complicit in any scheme to exploit or displace Palestinians,” adding that the visa requirement is meant to stop irregular relocation attempts while still allowing genuine travellers to apply normally.

The Palestinians who recently arrived will still have their cases processed. Those seeking asylum may apply, while those travelling under the old 90-day exemption will retain their status until their permitted stay ends.

Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers has provided temporary support for the travellers, many of whom declined to apply for asylum.

South Africa’s new visa rules take immediate effect, with authorities warning that any future attempts to misuse the system will be rejected.

Qatar and Kazakhstan strengthened their diplomatic engagement this week as both countries held their third round of political consultations in Astana. Senior officials from Doha and Astana met to review bilateral ties and explore deeper cooperation across political, economic, and regional security areas. The talks form part of Qatar’s ongoing diplomatic outreach to expand its partnerships in Central Asia, reflecting a foreign policy that increasingly prioritises diversified alliances and strategic collaboration.

Gaza conflict

Doha also issued a strong condemnation of the latest Israeli attacks in Gaza, reiterating its long-standing position on the Palestinian cause. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strikes as a dangerous escalation that threatens fragile ceasefire efforts and further destabilises the region. The government renewed its calls for an immediate halt to violence and emphasised its commitment to the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace. The statement fits within Qatar’s broader diplomatic role as a mediator in regional conflicts and its consistent advocacy on humanitarian issues affecting Palestinians.

Climate change

In its weekly meeting, Qatar’s Cabinet approved several new memoranda of understanding, including agreements on climate change adaptation, green-growth cooperation, and labour sector development with multiple international partners. The Cabinet also welcomed the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 Movement — a landmark accord facilitated with Qatari support. The government framed these developments as part of its growing leadership in global conflict mediation, sustainable development planning, and international economic collaboration.

Israeli airstrike

Qatar issued another strong denunciation following an Israeli airstrike on the Ain Al Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, calling the attack a violation of international law and a direct threat to regional stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that targeting civilian areas, especially refugee populations already living in precarious conditions, represents an unacceptable escalation. The condemnation underscores Doha's increasing diplomatic activism as the region faces renewed volatility, and its consistent messaging on the need for de-escalation, humanitarian protection, and accountability.

He went on to outline three additional priorities: adherence to the principles of climate justice; ensuring access to appropriate and affordable technologies, particularly in renewable energy ; and providing technical assistance, capacity-building, and stronger systems for monitoring, reporting, and verification.

The ambassador warned that Gaza is facing “serious public health risks” and escalating “environmental threats,” noting that “the genocide has destroyed agricultural lands and vegetation cover.”

Al-Zeben added that Palestine’s “catastrophic environmental situation” must be recognised as an important factor in global climate change .

The UN COP30 conference, in Belém, Brazil, brings together world leaders, scientists, and civil society representatives to define priorities for climate action. The summit focuses on efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, review new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and assess the implementation of financial commitments made at previous conferences.

“They took out, they killed an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. 

Trump added that “nothing” will jeopardise the ceasefire in Gaza .

Israeli forces said they struck dozens of terror targets and terrorists in retaliation for what they described as violations of the ceasefire.

Israel’s defence minister accused Hamas of an attack that killed an Israeli soldier and of breaching terms on the return of deceased hostages. Hamas denied involvement, saying it had no connection to the attack and accusing Israel of trying to undermine the truce.

The Gaza health ministry reported at least 104 Palestinians killed in the strikes on Tuesday night, a toll that underlined how fragile the ceasefire remains.  

Trump characterised Hamas as a narrow but deadly force.

“Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East and they have to behave,” he said, adding that “if they're not good, they're going to be terminated. Their lives will be terminated.”

Trump also suggested broader international backing for enforcement of the accord, noting that “we have many countries that are willing to do that.” 

“You know, we have many countries, even Japan today, said we'd love to be involved in the Middle East.” 

“We rose from the terrible disaster of October 7th. We rose with strength and delivered a fierce battle to our enemies,” he said. “This is the War of Revival of our people , a direct continuation of the War of Independence.”

Netanyahu argued that the conflict is not only a military campaign but part of a larger effort to eliminate existential threats, particularly from Iran and its allied groups, Viory reports.

“We removed the existential threat of the Iranian axis from above us,” he stated. “We established the national revival project in the land of Israel, in our strong and thriving state.”

Referencing the operation against Iran, With the Strength of a Lion’ against Iran, he invoked a traditional ethos, “a people like a lion will rise.”

The Prime Minister also revealed that bravery medals and commendations for Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers and commanders will include the new official war name. “As in previous military campaigns, the awards of this campaign will bear the official name of the War of Revival,” he added.

The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas attacks that killed 1,139 people, mostly Israeli civilians and captured over 200 hostages. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths at the time of publication.

“We have told them we want to disarm, and they will disarm. And if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them,” Trump said. “And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently,” he said.

The remarks came just a day after a key milestone in the Gaza peace deal, with Hamas releasing the final 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The first phase of the agreement, brokered with international mediation, also includes a temporary ceasefire, scaled-back Israeli military presence in Gaza, and increased humanitarian aid shipments into the battered enclave.

On Monday, Trump made a historic address to the Israeli Knesset. Hours later, world leaders gathered in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh for the Peace Summit, where the ceasefire was formally acknowledged.

At the summit, Trump described the moment as “a new and beautiful day… rising, and now the rebuilding begins.”

However, despite the diplomatic progress, Trump’s comments on Hamas indicate that Washington is prepared to take a harder line in future stages of the agreement, which are yet to be fully negotiated.

“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.

According to Gaza health authorities, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, nearly a third of them children. 

Israel insists its campaign targets Hamas, not civilians, and says at least 20,000 of the dead were militants. But a United Nations commission of inquiry last month concluded that Israel’s actions amount to genocide, citing the scale of death and devastation. Israel dismissed the finding as “biased and scandalous.”

Israel, too, has paid a heavy price. At least 1,665 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed since October 2023, including 1,200 in the Hamas-led assault that triggered the war. The military says 466 soldiers have died in combat and nearly 3,000 have been wounded. 

The U.N. Satellite Centre estimates that around 193,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including more than a thousand schools and over two hundred hospitals. Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional, leaving the wounded and sick with nowhere to go. The U.N. human rights office has warned that efforts to clear Gaza City could amount to ethnic cleansing.

Displacement is near total. Only 18% of Gaza is now considered safe or outside militarised zones, and many families have fled multiple times. Since Israel renewed its campaign in Gaza City in August, more than 417,000 people have been displaced from the north to the south, where overcrowded shelters and collapsing services offer little relief. 

Famine has already taken hold. A global hunger monitor reported in August that nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population — around half a million people — face starvation. At least 177 have died from hunger or malnutrition, including dozens of children. 

Despite the partial lifting of an 11-week blockade, aid remains scarce. The U.N. says over 2,300 people have been killed while trying to access food, underscoring the desperation that defines life in Gaza, now a land of ruins where survival itself has become a daily act of resistance.

The prime minister revealed that several weeks ago, he ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to enter Gaza City, described as Hamas’s most significant stronghold, to increase military pressure. At the same time, Netanyahu met with former U.S. President Donald Trump and his team, seeking a diplomatic breakthrough. “Instead of Israel being isolated, Hamas is isolated,” he said. “As a result of the intensified military and diplomatic pressure, Hamas was pressed to agree to the plan we brought.”

Under the proposed deal, Netanyahu said, Hamas would release all 48 remaining hostages in the first stage, while Israeli forces would redeploy but maintain control of key areas deep inside Gaza to ensure security and prevent Hamas from reestablishing its strongholds.

“Russia has always, since 1948, and then also in 1974, when the relevant UN Security Council resolution was adopted, advocated for the creation of two states – Israel and a Palestinian state,” he said. “And this, in my opinion, is the key to a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

The Russian leader said that, as far as he understood, Trump’s proposal included creating an international body to govern Gaza for a transitional period, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair named to head it. 

While acknowledging Blair’s controversial reputation, Putin noted his political experience.

“In my view, it would be better to entrust everything to President Abbas and today’s Palestinian administration,” he added. “It might be difficult for them to solve security-related issues, but … it provides for the possibility of transferring control over the Gaza Strip, including to the local police to ensure security.”

Putin suggested that such an arrangement could be “a breakthrough” if implemented sincerely and accepted by all sides. 

“What’s important, even more than the public statement, is essentially how the Israeli leadership will relate to this. Whether they will fulfil everything proposed there by the President of the United States ,” he said.

“There are a lot of questions, but in general, if all these positive things I mentioned occur, it can, of course, be a breakthrough. The breakthrough can be very positive,” Putin added.

The comments marked a rare moment of alignment between Moscow and Washington, with Putin signaling openness to a U.S.-backed initiative despite ongoing tensions between the two powers on other fronts.

Thunberg was among activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which said it was attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. The group warned earlier that it was sailing into a “high-risk area” about 150 nautical miles off Gaza before contact was lost.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel ’s interception of the flotilla, calling it a “violation of international law” and urging international pressure for the release of those detained.

Israel, however, described the mission as a “political provocation”, defending the blockade as lawful under international maritime rules and claiming some participants had ties to Hamas, an accusation the organisers strongly denied.

Flotilla missions have repeatedly tried to challenge Israel’s naval blockade since 2008. Most have been intercepted, including the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, in which ten Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos, sparking global outcry. 

He praised Egypt’s “leading role” in regional peace efforts and called for deeper U.S.-Egypt coordination.

Abdelatty welcomed the U.S. initiative, calling Trump’s efforts “sincere,” but stressed Egypt’s conditions , which are that humanitarian aid must reach Gaza on a scale, Israeli forces must withdraw, and any attempt to annex the West Bank or displace Palestinians must be rejected.

He reiterated Cairo’s support for a two-state solution, arguing it remains the only path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry , and displaced over 80% of the enclave’s population. Egypt has played a central role in ceasefire talks and aid delivery through the Rafah crossing, making its stance crucial to any international settlement. 

1. Rejecting the “law of the strongest” and protecting the weak

Prabowo challenged the global order’s tendency to let powerful nations dominate weaker ones, urging the world to resist such injustice. He declared, “The strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must. We must reject this doctrine.” He further called for a rule-based international system that safeguards smaller nations.

2. A balanced stance on Israel and Palestine

In one of the speech’s most striking moments, Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s support for Palestinian statehood, while also calling for Israel’s security to be guaranteed.

“We must have an independent Palestine, but we must also recognise, respect, and guarantee the safety and security of Israel. Only then can we have real peace,” he firmly remarked.

His comments stood out as Indonesia, long a strong supporter of Palestine, took a more balanced position than usual.

3. Offering 20,000 peacekeepers for global stability

Prabowo pledged Indonesia’s willingness to contribute massive troop support for peacekeeping missions, especially in conflict zones such as Gaza .

“Not with just words, but with boots on the ground. Indonesia is prepared to deploy 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to help secure peace in Gaza or elsewhere,” he pledged.

4. Turning Indonesia into a global rice supplier

Highlighting Indonesia’s recent agricultural successes, Prabowo announced ambitions to help feed the world.

"Indonesia recorded the highest rice production and grain reserves in our history. We are now self-sufficient and starting to export rice to other nations in need,” he said. Adding that, “We are confident that in a few years we will be the granary of the world.”

5. Green energy and sustainable development

Prabowo further pressed climate action as a national priority, pledging real change rather than “empty slogans.”

“We choose to confront climate change not by slogans, but by immediate steps. We are committed to meeting our 2015 Paris Agreement obligations and aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2060,” he said.

Indonesia, home to over 270 million people , is one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

“This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and other countries unconditionally recognised a Palestinian state. They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7,  horrors praised on that day by nearly 90 percent of the Palestinian population. Nearly 90% supported the attack. They celebrated it. They danced on rooftops. They threw candies in Gaza and in Judea, Samaria, the West Bank, as you call it. Just like they celebrated 9/11,” Netanyahu said.

He warned that granting Palestinians a state after such attacks would be akin to giving al-Qaeda a country near New York City after the September 11 attacks.

“Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7 is like giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11,” Netanyahu declared. “This is sheer madness. It’s insane. And we won’t do it,” he emphasised.

Adding that, “Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats,” he said. “We will not commit national suicide because you don’t have the guts to face down a hostile media and anti-Semitic mobs demanding Israel’s blood.”

Earlier, dozens of leaders and diplomats staged a walkout before Netanyahu began to deliver his speech.

“Let’s do something else for the first time at the UN. Let’s do a pop quiz. Who shouts, ‘Death to America ’?," he queried the Assembly while pulling out a placard. "Is it A. Iran, B. Hamas, C. Hezbollah, D. the Houthis, or E. all of the above? Correct, all of the above. Second question: Who has murdered Americans and Europeans in cold blood? A. Al-Qaeda, B. Hamas, C. Hezbollah, D. Iran, or E. all of the above? Correct again.”

The Israeli leader used the exercise to argue that Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, threaten not just Israel but the entire modern world.

“Our enemies hate all of us with equal venom,” Netanyahu warned. “They want to drag the modern world back to the past, to a dark age of violence, fanaticism, and terror. You know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight.”

Netanyahu claimed that despite public criticism, many world leaders privately thank Israel for its intelligence, which he said has repeatedly prevented terrorist attacks in foreign capitals.

“Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us, privately thank us,” he said. “They tell me how much they value Israel’s superb intelligence services that have prevented, time and again, terrorist attacks in their capitals, saving countless lives.”

He cited comments by former U.S. Air Force intelligence chief General George Keegan, who once said the U.S. would need “five CIAs” to match Israel’s intelligence capabilities, and noted that German Chancellor Merz admitted Israel was “doing the dirty work for all of us” after Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Netanyahu also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for showing Iran that there is “a price to pay” for targeting Americans.

The assembly hall erupted with jeers as the session’s chair tried repeatedly to call the gathering to order. 

Once at the podium, Netanyahu rejected international calls for a Palestinian state, saying Israel would not “commit national suicide.” He further criticised governments that have recently recognised Palestinian statehood, warning, “It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”

Indonesia has always supported Palestinian independence, but its presidents rarely speak directly at the UN. Its leaders have typically spoken through foreign ministers rather than taking the UN podium themselves.

Indonesia, home to over 270 million people , is one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

“There is no more appropriate word to describe what is happening in Gaza than genocide,” Lula said, in one of the most forceful condemnations of Israel heard so far during the high-stakes debate in New York .

The Brazilian leader announced that his country would formally join the case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, which alleges that Israel is committing genocide. This, after a UN commission formally concluded the Israel’s war in Gaza is genocide.

“The right of defence does not authorise the indiscriminate killing of civilians,” Lula said. He stressed that Brazil had condemned Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel but argued that they could not justify the destruction of entire neighbourhoods or the mass killing of children.

Citing figures from the war, Lula said more than 50,000 children had been killed or maimed and 90% of homes in Gaza destroyed. He also accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon of war. 

“Half a million Palestinians do not have enough food — more than the population of Miami or Tel Aviv,” he said.

Lula framed the war not only as a regional crisis but also as a test of the international system itself. The conflict, he said, had become “the paramount symbol of the obstacles faced by multilateralism,” with the veto power at the Security Council paralysing meaningful action.

Palestinians have also been denied the basic pillars of statehood — territory, population and government — through occupation, displacement and the destruction of institutions, according to Lula. 

He described the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as part of a pattern that amounted to “ethnic cleansing in real time.” He called for the creation of a new UN body, modelled on the Special Committee against Apartheid, to advance Palestinian self-determination.

“Ensuring dialogue for Palestinian self-determination is an act of justice and an essential step to restore the strength of multilateralism and to recover our collective sense of humanity,” Lula said.

His speech came during a high-level meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , where French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Other countries including Australia, Canada, Belgium and Malta have also taken that step in recent days, joining Brazil, which recognised Palestine in 2010.

More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza last October, according to local health officials. Israel rejects accusations of genocide and says its offensive is aimed at eliminating Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist organisation.

“Officially, the Holy See does not believe that we can make any declaration at this time about that,” he added. "There's a very technical definition about what genocide might be, but more and more people are raising the issue."

The July interview was Pope Leo XIV’s first since his election in May.

Days before the interview was published, on September 16, an independent UN inquiry formally concluded that Israel is committing four of the five acts defined as genocide under the Genocide Convention: killing Palestinians, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births.

The 72-page report detailed evidence of deliberate targeting of civilians, including children, and highlighted mass displacement and famine caused by Israeli blockades preventing aid from entering Gaza.

Pope Leo XIV said it was “so horrible to see the images that we see on television,” adding, “hopefully we won’t grow numb.”

“We can’t ignore this. Somehow, we have to continue to push, to try and make a change there,” he said.

The UN inquiry’s findings are the strongest yet on the scale of the killings in Gaza and mark the first time a UN-mandated investigative body has concluded that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide.

However, the UN emphasised that it cannot make a legal determination on whether a situation constitutes genocide under international law, noting that such a ruling can only be made by a competent national or international court. 

A case before the International Court of Justice, filed by South Africa, seeks to have Israel’s actions declared genocide. However, experts say this is unlikely to conclude before 2027.

US President Donald Trump, who has openly stated his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, has sought to intervene in the war. He has held ceasefire talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is scheduled to meet him again on September 29.

The pope criticised the lack of progress in peace efforts despite US involvement.

"Even with some very clear statements being made by the United States government, recently by President Trump, there has not been a clear response in terms of finding effective ways to alleviate the suffering of the people, the innocent people in Gaza, and that is obviously of great concern," he said.

Other organisations have also defined the Gaza war as genocide. Amnesty International, in a December 2024 report, accused Israel of carrying out systematic killings, starvation, forced displacement and the destruction of civilian life.

Health authorities in Gaza put the death toll since October 2023 at 65,062, with a further 165,697 wounded.

“We couldn't take it anymore. I escaped with my daughter from death, and now I'm heading south to Deir al-Balah, hoping we'll find a place to stay. We're doing as the army tells us,” he said. “How long will we remain like this? Either we die under the bombing, or we die a natural death at any moment.”

The escalation comes after the Israeli government approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan on August 8 to occupy Gaza City, following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.

“Honestly, the Israeli responses are becoming so boring. You know, they say the same thing every time. They're producing the responses by ChatGPT these days,” said Sidoti, a commissioner at the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

The UN commission’s findings are the strongest yet to detail the extent of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The 72-page report presents evidence that Israel has committed four acts of genocide since 2023: killing Palestinians, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as “fake” and as merely echoing “Hamas falsehoods.”

“Israel categorically rejects this distorted and false report and calls for the immediate abolition of this Commission of Inquiry,” the ministry said in a post on X . 

“In stark contrast to the lies in the report, Hamas is the party that attempted genocide in Israel — murdering 1,200 people, raping women, burning families alive, and openly declaring its goal of killing every Jew,” it claimed. 

Sidoti urged Israel to address the evidence presented in the report.

“I would want them to engage with the evidence but they never engage with the evidence. They put the report into ChatGPT and then they put out the standard response, so no one takes it seriously

Over the course of the Gaza war, more than 10% of the territory’s 2.2 million Palestinian people have been killed or wounded, according to Israel’s former military chief. Palestinian authorities put the toll at 65,000 dead and more than 164,000 injured.

El-Sisi accused Israel of brazenly violating international law, humanitarian principles, and established norms, saying its policies are destabilising and reckless. He argued that Israel’s practices risk turning the region into “a lawless arena for aggression,” with consequences not only for Palestinians but for the wider Middle East.

“This is a situation that is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” El-Sisi said, stressing that unchecked escalation could push the region into “an uncontrollable spiral.”

In a pointed message to Israelis , the Egyptian leader warned that current events could unravel decades of peace-building efforts, including the accords Israel has signed with its Arab neighbours. He cautioned that the fallout might erode opportunities for new peace deals, damage Israel’s own security, and even invalidate existing agreements.

“The consequences will be severe, and this is a price we will all pay, without exception,” El-Sisi said. He urged Israelis not to allow “the peace efforts of your predecessors to come to nought,” warning that regret may come too late.

El-Sisi also used his speech to express Egypt’s solidarity with Qatar following reports of Israeli aggression against Qatari airspace and territory. He said Cairo rejects any violation of a nation’s sovereignty and condemned the threat to Doha’s security in “the strongest and most unequivocal terms.”

Meanwhile, a 72-page independent United Nations inquiry concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The finding indicated that four of the five acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war with Hamas.

The GSF, consisting of dozens of boats and hundreds of activists from 44 countries, departed from Barcelona, Spain, on September 1 and is expected to reach Gaza in mid-September. Organisers say the effort is aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver food, medicine, and other aid.

The joint statement called on all parties to respect international law and refrain from any unlawful or violent acts against the flotilla. It warned that violations, including attacks in international waters or illegal detentions, would be met with accountability.

“Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments,” the statement read.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coordinated, nonviolent fleet of small vessels sailing from Mediterranean ports in a bid to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. It unites a diverse coalition of international activists, including participants from earlier land and sea initiatives such as the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and the Global Movement to Gaza. 

“The two-state solution remains the only viable alternative to preserve peace,” he said. “Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East and extremism will expand everywhere in the world, with consequences that I consider extremely, extremely negative.”

On September 15, the General Assembly voted 142-10 in favor of a resolution endorsing a two-state solution to the conflict, which has dragged on for nearly 80 years and escalated after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. 

Israel and the United States were among the 10 states that opposed the measure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed there will be “no Palestinian state,” while Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, dismissed the vote as a “one-sided” and “hollow gesture.”

Guterres’ remarks came the same day a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians under the Genocide Convention, finding that four of the five acts that define genocide have occurred in Gaza.

The findings are the strongest yet in documenting the scale of Israel’s actions.

“It is not in the attributions of the Secretary-General to do the legal determination of genocide. That belongs to the [appropriate] judicial entities, namely the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” Guterres said. 

He added that the situation in Gaza is “morally, politically, and legally intolerable.”

“The fact that I have not the competence to do the legal determination of genocide doesn't mean that I do not consider that what's happening in Gaza, after the horrific attacks by Hamas in October two years ago, what happens in Gaza today is horrendous,” he said. “This is something we cannot forget, independently of the names that are given. The truth is that this is something that is morally, politically, and legally intolerable.”

More than one in 10 Palestinians — over 200,000 of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents — have been killed or wounded, according to Israel’s former military chief. Palestinian authorities peg the toll to 65,000 dead and more than 164,000 injured.

While the findings are the strongest yet by an international body, the panel does not speak for the U.N. itself. The commissioners are independent investigators appointed by the Human Rights Council, not U.N. staff. The U.N. has yet to describe the war as genocide.

Here are the four acts the commission said constituted genocide:

1. Killing Palestinians

The report said Israeli forces had intentionally killed unprecedented numbers of Palestinians using wide-impact munitions, despite knowing they would cause mass civilian deaths. Proving there was “willful killing,” it cited examples of civilians, journalists, healthcare workers and humanitarian staff being directly targeted in homes, hospitals, schools and even designated safe zones. In one case, the commission said Israeli security forces killed 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her relatives along an evacuation route despite having “clear knowledge” of their presence.

“The Commission therefore finds that the Israeli authorities intended to kill as many Palestinians as possible through its military operations in Gaza since 7 October 2023 and knew that the means and methods of warfare employed would cause mass deaths of Palestinians, including children,” the report concluded.

2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm

Investigators found that Israeli operations had caused severe physical and psychological harm to Palestinians — 146,269 of them to be exact. The commission cited direct attacks on civilians, mistreatment of detainees, forced displacement, environmental destruction and sexual and gender-based violence.It said repeated cycles of displacement had inflicted “irreparable” harm that robbed Palestinians of the ability to live a normal life.

“The Commission finds that the Israeli security forces have intentionally created an atmosphere of panic and terror and instilled extreme fear in the Palestinians in Gaza since 7 October 2023,” a part of the report read.

3. Deliberately inflicting conditions of life meant to destroy the group

The commission accused Israel of using starvation as a “method of warfare” and imposing inhumane living conditions on Gaza’s population by blocking food, water, electricity and fuel. It documented the destruction of essential infrastructure, including homes, schools, medical facilities and farmland, and said these measures had brought Gaza’s health, water, education and sanitation systems to collapse. According to U.N. aid agencies, famine has been confirmed in Gaza City, where nearly one million residents remain under bombardment and face “compromised access to means of survival.”

“The Commission finds that the Israeli authorities have deliberately created conditions of life that are resulting in the destruction of generations of Palestinians and are leading to the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza as a group,” it said.

4. Preventing births

The report cited the December 2023 attack on Gaza’s largest fertility clinic, which reportedly destroyed some 4,000 embryos and 1,000 sperm samples and eggs, as an act of genocide intended to prevent births among Palestinians. Reproductive violence and attacks on pregnant women were also documented as part of what the panel called a broader effort to hamper the population’s ability to reproduce.

“According to the expert physician, the attack on the IVF clinic will ‘have repercussions for generations to come. Children who were meant to be born from these 5,000 reproductive specimens will never exist. Families will be forever changed and bloodlines may end because of a loss of these reproductive tissues,’” it said. 

Israel has categorically denied the accusations, calling the report “distorted and false.” Its foreign ministry accused three experts on the panel to be “Hamas proxies” and relied on claims that had been “thoroughly debunked.” 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly defended the military campaign, saying it is carried out in accordance with international law and that Israel takes steps to limit harm to civilians. He has acknowledged that Israel faces “a kind of isolation” that could last for years.

The commission said that Israeli political and military leaders’ words — including Mr. Netanyahu’s pledge to inflict “mighty vengeance” on Gaza and his description of Gaza City as a “wicked city” — were part of the evidence pointing to genocidal intent.

The panel also warned that other nations have an obligation under the 1948 Genocide Convention to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. Failure to act, Pillay said, “amounts to complicity.”

The small vessels are carrying humanitarian supplies, including rice, biscuits, and milk powder, which are crucial, especially at a time when international agencies have reported clear signs of famine in Gaza.

Activist Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri said the initiative demonstrates solidarity with civilians in Gaza.

“We are preparing the humanitarian aid. We are bringing on the ships to Gaza to break the siege and feed our children , our brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip,” he said.

“This is a mission that we are going to go together. We are going to go as one strong power.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coalition of activist groups, including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Global Movement for Gaza, and the Sumud Nusantara.

The ships are expected to travel through Italy and Tunisia before reaching Gaza in mid-September.

Previous flotillas have attempted similar missions. Some succeeded in delivering aid, while others were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, resulting in fatalities.

A flotilla is a group of vessels organised to transport essential supplies such as food and medicine to areas where conventional delivery routes are blocked or restricted. 

Humanitarian flotillas usually operate under international maritime law and with the backing of global organisations.

Israel has repeatedly stated that “unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.” 

Officials have also previously criticised flotillas bound for Gaza, describing them as “selfie yachts of celebrities,” “stunts,” and “Instagram activism,” and alleging possible links to Hamas.

Founded in the West Bank, the conservatory opened its Gaza branch 13 years ago, teaching classical and popular music. Before the war , some top students were granted Israeli exit permits to perform with the Palestine Youth Orchestra abroad. Others played concerts locally in both Arabic and Western traditions.

Suhail Khoury, president of the conservatory, said several students have been killed since the start of the conflict.

Among them was 14-year-old violinist Lubna Alyaan, who died with her family early in the war.

Music instructor Ahmed Abu Amsha said lessons have become a form of therapy for children coping with the impact of the conflict.

“You know this war makes the kids have a lot of problems, like trauma, like starving, they are not sleeping, they are crying, they are sad,” he told Reuters. “So we tried our best to use music therapy in these kids to heal them from the madness of this war.”

He said music offers children brief moments of relief.

“In these moments, we forget the war,” he said. “So this has come to light in my head, why not make some activities, music activity, despite this war.”

Another instructor, Ismail Daoud, described music as a source of hope.

“Music in war represents for me and for all the students whom we teach; it represents hope and an exit from the atmosphere of war,” he said. “It represents the balsam that heals the wound. Music is a glimmer of hope that all our children and people hold on to in darkness.”

The conservatory has continued operating despite the war, adapting its work to the realities of displacement and destruction.

“We see attacks on the International Criminal Court . Attacks on the international human rights system and its representatives. And flagrant violations of international law. From the horrors in Sudan and beyond to Russia's invasion in Ukraine, where we need a just and lasting peace based on the UN charter, international law and the UN resolutions. And of course, the relentless Israeli onslaught on Gaza,” Guterres said.

He highlighted the disproportionate level of violence in Gaza, adding, “I have repeatedly condemned the horrific 7th October terror attacks by Hamas. But nothing can justify the explosion of death and destruction since. The scale and scope is beyond anything we have seen in recent times,” Viory quotes.

He added, “ Children , speaking of wanting to go to heaven because, at least they say there is food there. We hold video calls with our own humanitarians who are starving before our eyes. And this is not just a humanitarian crisis, it's a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience. We will continue to speak out at every opportunity, but words don't feed hungry children."

Background on Gaza Conflict

Israeli military operations in Gaza, launched following the October 7 Hamas attacks, have reportedly killed over 59,219 Palestinians and injured more than 143,045, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. The conflict has devastated civilian infrastructure and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

“Let me repeat, 1000 people killed, not in combat, but in desperation, while the entire population starves. We need action,” Guterres urged. “At the same time, we need urgent, concrete and irreversible steps towards the two-state solution.”

Guterres called on global leaders not to “turn a blind eye” to their obligations, describing the crisis as not only humanitarian but also a test of international justice and morality.

Susan Mohammed Marouf, a nutritionist at the Patients’ Friends Society, warned of the dire situation. “We currently have four child patients in the Therapeutic Nutrition Department, all of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition. This is due to a lack of nutritional supplements and basic foods necessary for maintaining health,” she said.

Marouf explained to Viory that the shortage of essential foods including proteins, vegetables, and fruits, has led to widespread malnutrition, worsening the condition of the most vulnerable.

“Malnutrition is affecting all age groups, particularly children, who are the most vulnerable in society. Their condition has worsened since the ban on aid and supplements,” she noted, adding that even medical staff are struggling to perform their duties due to food scarcity.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that 10 more people died from famine-related causes on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from hunger to 111. The health system has nearly collapsed, with 38 hospitals reportedly destroyed.

“Today, most people suffer from malnutrition, including medical staff, who are unable to perform their duties properly. Doctors are so fatigued due to a lack of food that they cannot treat patients properly, not to mention children, who are the most vulnerable. Their conditions are even more severe,” Marouf added.

The World Health Organisation has described the situation as “mass starvation caused by a blockade preventing the entry of food and medical aid.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has labelled it a “horror show.”

Israel, however, has denied responsibility, with government spokesperson David Minster claiming that the shortages are “man-made,” blaming Hamas for the crisis.

As food and essentials remain scarce due to ongoing conflict and blockades, some managed to carry home sacks of flour, while others returned empty-handed and exhausted.

Video footage from the area showed men and women trudging along dusty roads with heavy sacks slung over their shoulders. UN-marked vehicles were present at the scene, with children seen clambering onto their roofs in search of assistance or shelter.

Residents say the price of food has skyrocketed beyond reach. “This bag used to cost 25 shekels — now it’s 2,500,” said Ali Abdullah, balancing a sack of flour as he spoke. “That’s $764. I risked my life to get it.” He added that the flour would barely sustain his household of 18 for four days.

Others weren’t so lucky. Wael Abu al-Anzin said he showed up before dawn but left with nothing. “We didn’t take anything,” he said, visibly distraught. “I haven’t eaten in five days. I walked home wondering how I’d feed my children tonight.”

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 15 people , including four children, have died from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours alone. The overall toll now stands at 101 famine-related deaths, 80 of them minors.

The crisis is hitting children the hardest. The Palestinian News Agency estimates that some 900,000 children in Gaza are going hungry, with 70,000 already diagnosed with malnutrition.

This deepening crisis unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing military operations in the region. The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when a Hamas-led attack on Israel killed 1,139 people and took over 200 hostages. Israel launched a large-scale response that continues to this day.

Since the outbreak of war, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports that 59,106 people have been killed and over 142,000 injured in Gaza. A temporary truce and prisoner exchange brought a brief pause in March, but fighting resumed on the 18th of that month and has not stopped since.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting in New York on July 22, Guterres urged the protection of aid workers and UN facilities, and called for serious diplomatic efforts to end the violence.

“Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door,” Guterres said. “And now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. This system is being denied the conditions to function. Denied the space to deliver. Denied the safety to save lives.”

He expressed deep concern over repeated strikes on UN facilities, including buildings used by the UN Office for Project Services and the World Health Organisation — among them, WHO’s main warehouse.

The Secretary-General condemned what he called “outright violations” of humanitarian law and urged countries to use diplomacy to stop the conflict from spiralling further out of control.

According to both the UN and Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 875 people have been killed while trying to access food since late May, many caught up in stampedes or shot during chaotic aid distributions. The U.S.-backed sea corridor, opened in May to bring aid into Gaza, has drawn criticism for poor planning and deadly crowd control failures.

The conflict, now in its tenth month, began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel responded with a sweeping military campaign across Gaza.

Since then, nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed and about 140,000 wounded, according to Gaza health officials. Israel says its forces are targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure , but the human toll, especially among civilians, continues to raise alarms worldwide.

Dr Nick Maynard said: “I've seen, I think, probably a dozen now seriously injured young boys who have been shot in the abdomen or the chest. One of them, a 12-year-old, died on the operating table because the injuries were so severe, and they're all from gunshot wounds.

He added that families and medical colleagues who are also looking for food have witnessed these kinds of injuries at the same distribution sites caused by Israeli soldiers and drones .

“They're all describing that they're being shot by Israeli soldiers or by the quadcopters, the drones which are being remotely controlled by the Israelis, and fire often indiscriminately, often targeted. And I'm seeing a very clear we're all seeing a very clear pattern of injuries.

Israel denied to the BBC that it targeted minors, noting that its forces observed strict rules of engagement. It also said that it was untrue that it had used sniper drones at any stage during the conflict and that its troops always act within international law.

The operation, coordinated with Jordan’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), included 72 accompanying family members. Upon arrival, the children were admitted to local hospitals, where they are now receiving specialised care from professional medical teams.

This latest evacuation is part of the Jordanian Medical Corridor initiative, which aims to provide treatment for up to 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza. First announced by King Abdullah II in February, the initiative officially began in March and has since brought a total of 112 children and 241 family members to Jordan for urgent medical care.

According to Jordanian officials, the seventh batch marks the single largest transfer of evacuees since the program’s launch.

Amid extreme temperatures, critical shortages of water, food, and medical care are pushing public health systems to the brink.

Sanitation systems are collapsing, clean water is increasingly scarce, and overcrowded shelters offer little protection from the oppressive heat. Medical workers report that the soaring temperatures are aggravating the conditions of vulnerable patients, many of whom are packed into makeshift tent camps with minimal access to treatment or cooling.

The crisis is especially critical for thousands of injured individuals, including burn victims and those in need of continuous care, who now face increased risks due to inadequate medical infrastructure and relentless heat.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began handing out food in Gaza on May 26 after Israel completely cut off supplies into the occupied Palestinian territory for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine.

The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, an officially private effort with opaque funding, over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

"Israel's militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution," said UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan. "The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime."

He stressed that only a court could make a legal determination on whether war crimes have been committed.

“589 days of hell since the October 7 massacre, and instead of bringing them all home by agreeing to the deal that is on the table, Netanyahu is dragging us into a needless political war that will lead to the death of the hostages and soldiers,” said Zahiro Shahar Mor, the nephew of slain hostage Avraham Munder, addressing the crowd of protesters.

Another demonstrator, speaking to AFP, expressed a complete lack of faith in the government . “My first hope is to see this government fall. Because I have no trust in them whatsoever, I would love the hostages to come back as fast as possible, but I cannot really trust them. So my first hope and my first message is, let's take this government down,” he said.

The protests coincided with a significant escalation in military activity. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli air strikes on Sunday, May 18, resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people, with more than half identified as children .

In a statement, the Israeli military said the expansion of its operations is aimed at "achieving all the war's objectives," which include the release of hostages and "the defeat of Hamas."

At the heart of the plea was Yehuda Cohen, father of Nimrod Cohen, who has been held hostage in Gaza for nearly two years. In an emotional statement, he appealed directly to Trump and his allies:

"Mr. Donald Trump, Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Adam Boehler, please continue the job. Please remember, Netanyahu is deceiving you. Netanyahu is lying to you. Same as Netanyahu is betraying us. He's betraying us. He's betraying the hostages for his personal purpose."

Cohen accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately prolonging the war for political survival rather than working toward a deal that could bring the hostages home:

"We all know that Netanyahu is working on stalling and prolonging the war on the blood, on the blood of Israeli civilians and Israeli soldiers. Please continue what you started. Please make Netanyahu, force Netanyahu, push Netanyahu to go for a hostage deal. End the war and a hostage deal. This is the only way," he added.

The emotional gravity of the moment was compounded by Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, who has spent 584 days in Hamas captivity. Speaking in Hebrew, she described her son's fragile condition:

"My Matan is being held captive, together with Edan Alexander, who is being released today, and my heart, my heart is torn from the knowledge that my child will rot under torture and loneliness in Hamas captivity, alone. My Matan will not survive there alone with his muscular dystrophy."

Her appeal to Trump was filled with urgency and desperation as she said, "Mr President, sir, all of the Israeli people are behind you, end this war. Bring them all home. The coming week will determine the fate of the hostages. The coming week will determine the fate of my Matan, life or death."

Here’s a look at the defining moments and legacies that the world is celebrating as it bids farewell to a pope who touched lives far beyond the walls of the Church.

A pope of radical compassion

Pope Francis broke centuries of tradition with a papacy grounded in radical inclusivity. He famously washed the feet of Muslim refugees, women inmates, the elderly, and the disabled, acts of humility that reflected his unshakeable commitment to the marginalised.

In his final public address, Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating his stance on advocating for the oppressed even in his final days. Hospitalised and frail, he continued to reach out daily to priests and parishioners at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City.

LGBTQIA+ ally in the Vatican

Perhaps more than any of his predecessors, Pope Francis was a vocal ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, famously declaring “Who am I to judge?” early in his papacy and later allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, a turning point for LGBTQ+ Catholics worldwide.

“Rest in peace. He was a much kinder and accepting pope than his predecessors,” wrote one user on X. “I hope the next pope is just as kind for the sake of the world.”

Climate Justice

Francis didn't stop at spiritual matters; he took on  climate change as a moral and existential issue, calling environmental destruction a "structural sin." In 2015 and again in 2024, he wrote landmark encyclicals grounded in science and faith, urging global action. He even met with Greta Thunberg and challenged oil executives to address global warming.

Champion of the poor, the working class and charity

Francis was never shy about his roots, he proudly carried the identity of “the Pope of the Poor.” He embraced the symbol of Christ the Worker when he cheerfully received a replica of the hammer-and-sickle crucifix, crafted by slain Bolivian activist Fr. Luis Espinal. And when criticised for supporting economic justice, he famously responded during a visit to Indonesia, saying, “caring for the poor doesn’t mean being communist.”

From his first moments as pope, Francis broke convention: forgoing papal palaces, riding in a modest Ford Focus, delivering impromptu homilies, and kissing babies in the crowd. He brought a sense of accessibility and warmth to a role that had long seemed distant.

And who could forget when he blessed and auctioned off a custom Lamborghini gifted to him, raising $950,000 for charity.

"According to the evidence collected to date, the casualty resulted from tank fire by an IDF unit operating in the area", stated the military. Under the direction of Lt. Gen. Zamir, the investigation is set to conclude shortly, pending additional information. The IDF expressed regret for the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased.

On the day of the attack, reports indicated that the victims were members of a UN mine-clearance team. Eyewitness images showed personnel being transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City for medical attention. In response to the attack, UN officials emphasized that the site was well known to the Israeli army and underscored the need to protect UN facilities, noting that strikes against them violate international law. They also reiterated their call for a ceasefire in the region".

Additionally, shortly after the Deir al-Balah event, another tragic incident occurred on the first day of escalated hostilities, where IDF fire in Tal al-Sultan claimed the lives of nine individuals, including medical personnel and a UNRWA employee. An IDF investigation into this strike indicated errors by a Golani Brigade unit but determined that there was no intentional wrongdoing, diverging from various allegations made by Palestinian sources and media outlets.

Pope Francis was renowned for his vocal stance on humanitarian crises globally, including the one in Gaza. His death signifies a loss of a significant voice advocating for peace and human dignity, which resonated with many Palestinians, although they are predominantly Muslim.

In a statement, Hamas remarked on the Pope’s consistent opposition to war fare and aggression, noting his condemnation of what they termed as war crimes against the Palestinian populace. Leaders from both Israel and Palestine expressed their sorrow over his passing and acknowledged his efforts towards fostering dialogue and understanding.

Tributes to Pope Francis emerged from both Christian and Muslim communities on social media , reflecting on his empathetic approach towards civilians affected by violence. His final Easter message highlighted concerns over rising anti-Semitism, while also emphasizing the dire situation in Gaza where conflict continues to wreak havoc.

Following Hamas's attacks, Pope Francis had advocated for the freedom of hostages and promoted dialogue as crucial for peace. In a notable escalation of criticism, he called for an investigation into allegations of genocide regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, urging careful examination of the situation from a legal standpoint.

Pope Francis’s relationship with Palestinian communities spans back to before the current hostilities. His poignant act of praying at a wall in Bethlehem during a 2014 visit symbolized his support. Despite health challenges, he maintained communication with Christian leaders in Gaza, decrying violence against civilians.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog commended the Pope for fostering Jewish-Christian relations and interfaith dialogue, hoping his prayers for peace would come to fruition. Meanwhile, Bassem Naim from Hamas expressed that the loss of Pope Francis would leave a significant void, attributing it to his principled stance against injustices faced by Palestinians.

As the tumultuous situation in Gaza persists with no signs of peace or hostages' release, many Palestinians feel they have lost a powerful advocate. The ongoing conflict remains complex, underscoring the need for diplomatic engagements amidst widespread suffering.