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.

What they said

Limor Son Har-Melech, Knesset member for Otzma Yehudit, announced, "The Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, 5786–2026, has been approved in the second and third readings and will enter the law books of the State of Israel. Blessed are we who have lived, endured, and reached this moment. The people of Israel live." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also said, “Today we are restoring sanity to the State of Israel… A law of the death penalty for terrorists… is a historic law that changes the current reality.”

“I painted these pictures to express my inner feelings and myself,” he said. “Through these paintings, I ease what is in my heart, whether it is sadness or joy.”

Another drawing he is currently working on depicts a girl holding roses above her head—an image he says represents hope and emotional balance. “Sadness is one of the human emotions, though not always present. Joy, on the other hand, gladdens the human soul,” he explained.

Zamlat’s relationship with art began in childhood and developed through formal training at a teachers’ institute after the 1967 war. He later worked in Saudi Arabia before returning in 1995 to serve for a decade in a presidential office role.

Nearly 200 of them were from Southeast Asia, according to data secured by Hatzlacha, an Israeli volunteer emergency medical service NGO. The list includes 111 Filipinos, 71 Thais, four Vietnamese, two Singaporeans and one Indonesian recorded as serving in the Israeli military.

Across Asia more broadly, the numbers are also notable: 201 Indian passport holders, 76 Japanese, nine each from Hong Kong and South Korea, seven from China, three from Taiwan , and two each from Nepal and Sri Lanka.

There have been no reported convictions of dual nationals over Gaza-related crimes so far, though complaints have been filed in several countries.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs said it was aware of reports that two Singaporeans fought with the IDF but had no substantiated information confirming this. Singapore does not allow dual citizenship for adults.

Indonesia ’s foreign ministry said it could not immediately confirm the reported case of an Indonesian national but would coordinate with relevant agencies. 

Thailand , which permits dual nationality, does not criminalise foreign military service in general circumstances.

Does your country have a national fighting for Israel?

Police confronted protesters, leading to multiple arrests and others being affected by the use of pepper spray. 

President Herzog’s visit to Australia includes commemorations for the victims of last year’s Bondi Beach mass shooting and a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He is scheduled to return to Israel on Thursday, February 12.

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.

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.

Because of this, it has become a central focus for both the US and China in terms of economic and political influence. Prior to 2023, China gained the upper hand with its focus on non-intervention and economic collaboration, particularly through the Belt and Road programme. Following the war that erupted on October 7, China has engaged in the region much more actively, and its popularity has soared.

Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has built its foreign policy on the “five principles of peaceful coexistence”. These principles, known as “mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence”, have been China’s “red lines” both during the Cold War and in subsequent years. China remained outside the bipolar system of the Cold War and opted for a “third way” by supporting the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Despite the entry into a period of détente in international politics in the 1970s, China’s approach to non-alignment with any polarisation persisted, leading the country to make “non-alliance” a state policy in 1982. 

A clean record

MENA countries were among the regions where China’s fundamental foreign policy principles were practically implemented. At the aforementioned Bandung Conference, China established contact with nationalist parties in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, which were under French rule at the time, as well as in independent Libya. These initial contacts exemplified the parties’ revolutionary and anti-colonial solidarity. In the Middle East, diplomatic relations between China and the Gulf countries, in particular, began with Iraq in 1958, followed by Iran and Kuwait (1971), Oman (1978), the United Arab Emirates (1984), Qatar (1988), Bahrain (1989) and Saudi Arabia (1990). As can be seen, these countries, having gained their independence from Western colonial rule, quickly established a rapprochement with China. 

Following the end of the Cold War, relations between China and the MENA region entered a period of further development. MENA countries viewed China as a power with which to cooperate because it lacked a history of colonialism, military intervention, or regime change in the region. China, on the other hand, aimed to establish multi-layered interaction with the region to realise its interests within the emerging international system. To this end, China proactively established the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, followed by the China–Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) four years later. 

The Arab Spring, which began in Tunisia at the end of 2010 and then spread throughout MENA, initiated a transformational process whose effects would last for years. People living in MENA began protesting against the authoritarian regimes in their countries that had long deprived them of economic prosperity and fundamental rights and freedoms. This wave of uprisings created the potential to fundamentally reshape the region’s “political ecology”. While historically significant developments were taking place in MENA, China’s regional strategy was embodied in the Belt and Road Initiative, which funds infrastructure aimed at bolstering international economic links. For China, the region provided an opportunity to prioritise its economic and geostrategic interests and place less emphasis on political engagement. Despite the liberal ideals of the Arab Spring, the persistence of autocratic and nationalist regimes in the region has also presented a positive picture for China. Regimes in the region have prioritised economic growth and development over democratisation. This has opened the door for China to promote an alternative to the liberal order created by the West after 1945. 

Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has established a successful method for achieving its desired goals. In exchange for energy agreements signed with MENA countries, which represent a strong option for meeting China’s need for energy resources such as oil and natural gas, China has built infrastructure and transportation projects in the region. These partnerships, which foster a win–win relationship between the parties, have significantly contributed to China’s interaction with the non-Western world. Unlike Western powers, which lost prestige in the region, particularly for their open support of opposition movements during the Arab Spring, China is perceived as a reliable actor by governments in MENA. Driven by this momentum, China signed strategic partnership agreements with Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between 2014 and 2018. Furthermore, in addition to striving to establish partnerships with MENA countries through bilateral relations and regional forums, China has also worked to mediate conflict resolution in the region. On 10 March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations. Bringing two strategic MENA actors, who had not had diplomatic contact since 2016, to the same table strengthened China’s prestige significantly. 

During this period, China presented a position in MENA radically different from the colonialism, use of military force, and conditional aid to achieve economic interests pursued by Western powers, particularly the US. China’s MENA strategy, particularly in the post-Arab Spring period, was based on a theoretical foundation of soft power and anti-colonialism. 

Change of approach

The events of 7 October, 2023 changed everything in the region and inevitably led to a shift in China’s approach connected to its long-standing support for Palestinian statehood. Since establishing the Special Representative for the Middle East in 2002, China has sought to host peace talks between Palestine and Israel and current Chinese President Xi Jinping has presented draft peace plans to the parties at various times. In these draft peace plans, China emphasised the importance of global recognition of the State of Palestine, the continuation of negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and the role of the international community in guaranteeing Palestinian sovereignty. These proposals were also included in the Arab Policy Paper published by China in 2016. 

Chinese officials have visited MENA to meet with all stakeholders in the region, particularly Hamas and Israel. As a result of these visits, an important mediation activity was carried out by bringing together the two major Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas, in Beijing in April 2024. Thus, in the face of the unconditional military support for Israel from the US and European powers, China has maintained its diplomatic stance. Even during the crisis, China has maintained its foreign policy of avoiding direct involvement in conflicts, maintaining political neutrality, and acting with caution. With these steps, which differentiate it from Western powers, China has assumed the role of a mediator seeking regional security and stability. China aims to end the regional crisis through an approach that emphasises a “two-state solution” and the role of regional organisations. 

That approach is bearing fruit, as results from the Arab Barometer reveal, although the challenge for China will be adapting to its new position in the world order on issues less binary than the conflict in Gaza.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views. This essay is based on research featured in the paper Perceptions of China in the Middle East and North Africa: an analysis in the context of Israel’s war on Gaza published in Third World Quarterly.

According to the head of the aid team, the convoy carried more than 195 tonnes of shelter materials, including 2,250 tents. He said the assistance aims to address the conditions faced by Gazans amid recent cold weather and rainfall, which have increased the need for emergency shelter.

The UAE launched the relief mission in November 2023 under the direction of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Since the start of the conflict between Hamas and Israel , the initiative has provided continuous humanitarian support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitness Mohammed Abu Khamis described the situation as incompatible with the ongoing truce. “This isn't a ceasefire. It's nothing but a pure deception; there's an airstrike every five minutes,” he said. “This truce is worthless; whether we observe it or not makes no difference.”

Local media reported five deaths and multiple injuries. The Israeli military had not issued an official statement at the time of publication.

The Gaza Health Ministry also says 318 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began last month.

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.” 

According to current data , Israel is recognised by around 163 of the 192 United Nations member states, roughly 83% of UN members.

Recognition of Israel has grown steadily since its founding in 1948. With the UN admission in 1949, many states established full diplomatic ties early on. However, 30-odd countries still formally do not recognise Israel, most of them Muslim-majority nations in Africa and Asia.

The green-coloured countries on the map indicate those that recognise Israel. Overwhelmingly, that includes Western Europe , the Americas (with only a few exceptions), and large parts of Africa and Asia.

According to a data table from World Population Review, for example, in Asia alone, many recognisers include India, China, Japan, Thailand and Japan.

In the Americas, the list of recognisers grows: countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru all recognise Israel. On the African continent, recognisers include Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa.

By contrast, the handful of red or dark-shaded states show those that do not recognise Israel or have withdrawn recognition. These include countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen in the Middle East; Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malaysia in South Asia ; and North Korea and Cuba elsewhere.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

According to current estimates, about 15,000 Israeli troops are active in Gaza, alongside roughly 5,000 Hamas fighters. President Prabowo’s proposed deployment would not only outnumber both but would also signal Indonesia’s emergence as a global peace broker willing to match words with action.

Although the leader's offer was bold, it was also conditional. He stated that Indonesia stands ready to send 20,000 or more troops to Gaza “if and when the UN Security Council and this great Assembly decide.”

Currently, Indonesia is already one of the world’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 2,700 personnel deployed across various operations. The president’s new pledge would multiply that commitment almost tenfold, positioning Indonesia as one of the UN’s most significant peacekeeping forces.

However, Prabowo’s statement came with a clear diplomatic condition: Indonesia would consider recognising Israel only when Israel formally acknowledges Palestinian statehood.

This nuanced stance underscores Jakarta’s support for a two-state solution , emphasising that peace must guarantee both Israeli security and Palestinian sovereignty.

The proposal has stirred debate both internationally and domestically. While some critics suggest it could soften Indonesia’s traditionally strong pro-Palestinian stance, others see it as a pragmatic step toward elevating the country’s global diplomatic influence.

This aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s recent push for renewed multilateral dialogue during his visit to Jakarta earlier this year, where France and Indonesia jointly voiced support for mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine.

“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.

“What the Israeli authorities are saying is that they are going to take them to a detention centre. Our consulate is there to support them in whatever is needed and demanding the immediate repatriation of our compatriots,” Sheinbaum said.

The president confirmed that the six Mexicans — Sol Gonzalez Eguia y Arlyn; Gabriela Medrano; Carlos Perez Osorio; Diego Vazquez Galindo; Ernesto Ledesma Arronte; and Laura Alejandra Velez Ruiz Gaytan — had been transferred to the port of Ashdod.

Sheinbaum reiterated her government’s opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, calling it a barrier to life-saving aid. 

“Humanitarian aid must reach Gaza, and our Mexican brothers and sisters, all of them, but specially our compatriots, must be repatriated immediately because they did not commit any crime ,” she told reporters.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of dozens of vessels from more than 40 countries, was intercepted in international waters earlier this week. Israeli forces detained hundreds of activists, among them climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, South African MP Mandla Mandela and 22 Italians.

Israel maintained that no boats reached Gaza and said the interceptions were necessary to enforce what it described as a lawful blockade. Its Foreign Ministry warned that any remaining ships attempting to approach the enclave would also be stopped.

Organisers of the flotilla said their mission was to deliver humanitarian supplies and highlighted the risks as they entered waters around 150 nautical miles from Gaza.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called Israel’s actions a violation of international law , while flotilla organisers rejected claims that participants had links to Hamas, insisting the mission was peaceful.

Efforts to break the Gaza blockade by sea have been mounted since 2008, most of them intercepted by Israel. The deadliest incident came in 2010, when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara ship and killed 10 Turkish activists.

The Marinette, which had mechanical issues and lagged behind the main armada of more than 40 ships, has not been intercepted and remains about 80 nautical miles from Gaza, Global Sumud Flotilla said.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry warned earlier that if the last ship approaches Gaza, “its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”

The Marinette is still far from the area where most of the flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces.

According to the flotilla tracker, the closest any ship has come was the Mikeno, which evaded the blockade and was briefly visible from Gaza’s shores.

It claimed “Mikeno made history by becoming the first ship to break Israel's blockade of Gaza since 2009,” adding the vessel “missed Gaza's shore by a few minutes.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla also said a new wave of ships is crossing the Mediterranean, including ten vessels that left Italy five days ago. Among them is the Al-Damir, which is carrying journalists, doctors and activists.

Anwar said the move showed Israel’s disregard “not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world.”

“I condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion,” he wrote on social media . 

He vowed to pursue legal action to free the Malaysians and hold Israel to account.

“Malaysia will use all legitimate and lawful means at our disposal to ensure that Israel is held to account, especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens,” he said. “The safety and dignity of our people are paramount, and we will not allow them to be compromised with impunity.”

As of writing, 40 boats had been seized by Israel, with only 12 still evading its naval forces.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is described as the largest maritime mission of its kind, with delegates from 44 countries forming the crew. Among them is climate activist Greta Thunberg. 

The vessels are carrying humanitarian supplies, including rice, biscuits and milk powder, considered vital as international agencies warn of famine in Gaza.

In September, a United Nations (UN) commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza , citing evidence it imposed destructive conditions on the Palestinian people, including blocking food and water.

Anwar’s criticism comes at a time of growing unease in Asia over Israel’s actions. At the UN General Assembly, many countries in the region reiterated support for a two-state solution.

Malaysia has long been one of Israel’s fiercest critics. Anwar has previously said his country’s position has made it a target of Israeli intelligence, and at one point Kuala Lumpur even called for Israel’s expulsion from the UN.

The Malaysian premier vowed his country would continue to stand undeterred against Israel. 

“As long as the Palestinian people are denied their fundamental rights and aspirations, Malaysia will stand unflinchingly with them,” he said. “We will not relent in demanding an end to the injustice and dispossession that have plagued Palestine for generations.”

“It provides a viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region,” Modi wrote on social media hours after the plan was presented at the White House.

“We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace,” he added.

The Indian leader had faced criticism from the opposition Congress party for what it called his “supremely indifferent” silence on the war. India abstained in a 2023 United Nations vote calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza, though more recently it supported a resolution affirming the two-state solution.

With the conflict dominating debate at the UN General Assembly, Trump framed his initiative as a fast-track to peace. 

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages, both dead and alive. In exchange, Israel would free 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

The proposal also demands that Hamas step aside from governance in Gaza and disarm— conditions the group has consistently rejected. Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces would gradually withdraw but maintain a large buffer zone inside Gaza “for the foreseeable future.”

Netanyahu warned that Israel was prepared to act alone if Hamas refused the terms.

"We're giving everybody a chance to have this done peacefully...But if Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it, and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself,” he said. “This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done."

The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, cautiously welcomed the proposal. In a statement carried by the official WAFA news agency, it said it was prepared to engage with Washington and international partners on a broader agreement aimed at “paving the way for just peace on the basis of a two-state solution.”

European leaders also signalled support. President Emmanuel Macron of France said the initiative left Hamas with “no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.” 

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged “all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement,” saying Hamas should “end the misery” by laying down arms. 

Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, called the proposal a rare chance for progress, warning: “This opportunity must not be wasted. Hamas must seize it.”

For Washington, the plan represents its most concerted bid yet to halt the Gaza war , and the most ambitious to date for Trump, who, for much of his second term, has styled himself as an “anti-war” leader credited with ending seven “un-endable” wars.

“With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time,” he said. 

Peters added that recognition in the current climate “could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire by pushing Israel and Hamas into even more intransigent positions.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon echoed that stance in Auckland the following day, stressing that recognition was “a question of when, not if.” He said New Zealanders could be “proud” of the government’s independent decision. 

“We are not pro-Palestine, nor Israel, and we are friends to both. What we are is pro-peace,” Luxon said.

The decision leaves New Zealand among a minority of countries, including the United States, Japan and South Korea, that have withheld recognition. It stood apart from partners such as Australia, Canada and Britain, which on Sunday joined more than 140 nations that formally backed Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

Officials in Wellington argued that the timing was key. 

A government handout released on Friday said New Zealand “hoped to recognise a Palestinian state at a time when the situation on the ground offers greater prospects for peace and negotiation than at present.” 

Luxon said his government would continue to support the Palestinian Authority in building governance and institutions to prepare for eventual statehood.

Critics, however, accused the government of moral failure. 

Former prime minister Helen Clark called it a “day of shame” for New Zealand, noting the decision had been taken 11 days earlier but disclosed late in the UN debate. 

Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Peeni Henare, said the government had placed New Zealand “on the wrong side of history,” adding: “There is no two-state solution or enduring peace in the Middle East without recognition of Palestine as a state.”

The initiative was launched alongside the Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia, the EU, and Norway. According to the Saudi minister, the coalition’s purpose is to translate the New York Declaration, endorsed by more than 140 UN member states earlier this week, into concrete measures to support Palestinian governance and secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

The move comes as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warns of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where over 2.2 million people face famine-like conditions, according to the World Health Organisation. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that the agency, with its 12,000 staff in Gaza, is the “key asset” for rebuilding and stabilising the territory once the war ends.

The Saudi-backed coalition aims to empower the PA to eventually govern both the West Bank and Gaza . Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, also present at the New York meeting, said international consensus on the two-state solution is now stronger than ever, but remains blocked by “the extremist stance of the Israeli government.”

So far, 159 countries officially recognise Palestine, a number Riyadh says shows that statehood is becoming “an irreversible reality backed by international will.”

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.

The Israeli leader argued that his government has urged civilians to evacuate combat zones while Hamas, which he labelled a “genocidal terrorist organisation,” has tried to prevent them from leaving. He accused the militant group of being the true instigator of mass suffering.

Netanyahu’s remarks came after months of intensifying scrutiny over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and most of the territory’s residents displaced. Human rights groups and aid agencies have warned of famine, disease and total collapse of basic services.

In a landmark report released this month, a UN commission concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet four of the five acts of genocide defined under international law, including killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting life-destroying conditions , and preventing births.

Separately, the International Court of Justice is hearing a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel has fiercely rejected. Earlier this year, the ICJ ordered Israel to ensure humanitarian aid reached civilians, but UN monitors say those orders have largely been ignored.

Despite the mounting legal challenges, Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the military campaign against Hamas, insisting Israel will “finish the job.” He accused critics of “turning the truth on its head” by equating Israel with genocidal regimes.

In his address, Netanyahu defiantly ruled out the creation of a Palestinian state, saying Israel “will not commit national suicide.” 

He also condemned recent decisions by several governments to recognise Palestinian statehood, calling the moves a “mark of shame.”

The Israeli leader also vowed to press ahead with military operations in Gaza until Hamas is, in his words, “finished.” He read aloud the names of hostages still held in the enclave and said loudspeakers had broadcast his message into Gaza to reassure them.

Netanyahu used much of his speech to cast blame on critics abroad, accusing world leaders of faltering in their support for Israel as the war dragged on. He claimed Israel was fighting a “seven-front war” with minimal assistance from its allies.

His remarks come after France, Britain, Canada and several other nations formally recognised Palestine this week, adding momentum to calls for a negotiated two-state settlement. The Israeli premier has rejected that path, insisting that such recognition rewards Hamas.

The speech also took place under the shadow of war crimes allegations levelled against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court, as well as genocide findings by an independent UN inquiry commission.

Despite the boycott, Netanyahu is set to continue a busy diplomatic schedule. He is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, where the two leaders will discuss regional security and Israel’s military campaign.

His address marks a symbolic return. It is reported that this is the first time in ten years that an Indonesian president has delivered remarks at the UN General Assembly.

According to a visual breakdown of his address, he allocated:

Prabowo’s emphasis on multilateralism aligns squarely with ongoing debates within the United Nations about reform, relevance, and financial sustainability.

In fact, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the “UN80 Initiative” early this year to modernise and revitalise the organisation amid funding cuts and institutional criticisms.

Additionally, in September 2025, the first Biennial Summit between the UN and International Financial Institutions took place, aiming to deepen coordination between the UN and bodies such as the IMF and World Bank as a clear sign that the multilateral architecture is under active review.

Guterres has also repeatedly called for a multipolar world order and stronger multilateralism, including during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.

Focus on Palestine, human rights and Indonesia’s vision

Beyond institutional questions, Prabowo devoted 22% of his speech to the Palestinian cause, the Gaza conflict, and support for the two-state solution. That is consistent with Indonesia’s long-standing foreign policy posture on Palestine.

Another 20% was reserved to highlight Indonesia’s development model and leadership role in the Global South. This is part of a broader narrative which highlights that under Prabowo’s presidency, Indonesia has rejoined BRICS as a full member, signalling a pivot toward South–South cooperation and a more assertive role in global governance.

The 16% allocated to human rights, dignity, and historical struggles speaks to Indonesia’s attempt to claim moral legitimacy in the international arena, invoking past experiences of colonisation, struggle for independence, and social justice.

Smaller but meaningful shares went to humanitarian appeals (8%) and interfaith or spiritual invocations (5%). These show that Prabowo also sought to appeal to global conscience and moral authority, particularly in a context of conflicts, refugee crises, and religious pluralism.

In Khan Younis on Thursday, displaced families gathered outside the al-Saada charity kitchen, waiting hours to receive a pot of rice or beans. Volunteers inside worked frantically, but the supply fell short of the need.

“Every day, about 20,000 people benefit from this charity kitchen,” said owner Saad Abdin. “Those who receive food survive; those who do not suffer even more.”’

Residents described a grim routine of waiting, hoping, and often leaving empty-handed. Um Ebrahim, who fled from the Aqsa University area, said some days she managed to return home with one or two meals, while on others she had nothing for her children .

Israel’s restrictions on the entry of goods have made meat, fish and eggs virtually unattainable. 

“People here are suffering from malnutrition,” Abdin said. “There is not enough food to go around for all the displaced in Khan Younis.”

The United Nations has warned that Gaza City is already in “Phase 5” — the highest category of food insecurity — with half a million people at risk of hunger, destitution and death. Aid agencies say conditions are worsening daily as fighting intensifies.

On September 16, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major ground operation in Gaza City. The Israeli army has described the city as a “dangerous combat zone” and urged residents to evacuate south, but aid groups say nowhere in the Strip is safe.

The war , now in its twelfth month, began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100 people and taking over 200 hostages. Since then, Israeli bombardments and ground operations have killed at least 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

At the UN, speaker after speaker condemned the scale of Israel’s campaign and supported the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

Leaders from Africa, Latin America and the Arab world urged stronger international action, accusing the Security Council of paralysis. Several called for an immediate ceasefire and warned that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is a stain on global leadership.

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. 

The Chilean leader’s intervention came as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to mount. Palestinian health authorities say tens of thousands of people have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign, many of them women and children .

Boric argued that the suffering transcended borders. “When beneath the rubble lie boys and girls, there is a genuine pain in our homeland, in Chile,” he said. The deaths of innocents, he added, “resonate far beyond Gaza.”

He also condemned what he described as repeated violations of sovereignty and international law. Without naming specific countries, he criticised assassinations on neutral territory, attacks on nuclear facilities and wars launched under false pretences.

"That is precisely why these United Nations were created: to dialogue and decide that barbarity is not acceptable, that human rights must be respected regardless of ideologies, of victims or of perpetrators, and that international law is the guarantee that reason will always prevail over force."

The Chilean president framed his remarks as part of a broader call for renewed dialogue.

He urged nations to build bridges rather than deepen divides, pointing to a new regional initiative on democracy launched with Brazil, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia.

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.

"I’d like to congratulate the President of France, President Macron, for today announcing a very bold decision to support the long-overdue creation and the recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine,” Ramaphosa told delegates.

Ramaphosa urged other UN member states to follow France’s lead, stressing that peace depends on universal recognition of both Israel and Palestine.

The wave of recognition comes amid intensifying Israeli military operations in Gaza , which have heightened international calls for a diplomatic breakthrough.

“We should expect nothing but from ourselves. We have managed to secure peace through our own efforts, and we will preserve sovereignty and peace through our own efforts in whatever scenario comes,” Maduro said.

The Venezuelan leader drew a parallel between the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and what he described as the organisation’s inability to stop “crime and genocide” against Palestine. He said Venezuela’s diplomats had already raised concerns at the UN about U.S. military activity in the Caribbean .

At the same time, Maduro expressed solidarity with Palestine, noting its longstanding ties with Venezuela. He said September 23 would mark a turning point as countries prepare to vote on Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly.

“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.

The French president said his decision was rooted in France’s longstanding ties to both Israel and the Palestinians. 

“This recognition is a way of affirming that the Palestinian people are not a people in excess,” he said, adding that it did not diminish Israel’s right to security.

Macron stressed that France’s commitment to Israel’s security remained firm, pointing to its support against Iranian missile attacks. But he said the ongoing bombardment of Gaza was destroying lives without offering a path to peace .

“Nothing, nothing more justifies the pursuit of war in Gaza. Nothing,” he told the Assembly. “To save lives, we must do everything to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.”

The President also invoked Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish in describing Palestinians as a people with dignity and history, and warned against abandoning the UN’s original promise of two states living side by side in peace.

Macron said the recognition aimed to restart serious negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“This path is the path of peace and security for all,” he said, urging others to follow France’s lead.

Several countries did so. Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra and San Marino would also recognise a Palestinian state, after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal made the same announcement on Sunday. 

Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognised Palestine in 2024.

Macron warned against “the peril of endless wars,” telling the Assembly: “Right must always prevail over might. The time has come.”

France, led by President Emmanuel Macron, declared its recognition of a Palestinian state in a UN meeting meant to revive peace efforts in the Middle East. Macron argued that political recognition is essential to stabilising the region and providing an alternative to violence.

“Recognition of Palestine is the only way to provide a political solution to a situation which has to stop,” he said.

Malta’s move followed suit. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that his country would formally recognise Palestine during the same Assembly, describing the moment as “historic” and in line with Malta’s long-standing support for Palestinian self-determination.

Luxembourg and San Marino were also part of this shifting landscape, signalling their commitment to recognising Palestinian statehood.

These recognitions come on the heels of a growing list of Western nations such as Canada, Australia, Portugal, the UK and others, making similar declarations, reflecting broader discontent with stalled peace processes and mounting humanitarian concerns in Gaza .

By formally recognising Palestine, these European countries are signalling several things simultaneously: support for international law, responsiveness to humanitarian crises, and frustration with the lack of progress toward peace.

Recognition is largely symbolic, but it carries real weight: increased legitimacy for the Palestinian Authority, pressure on Israel and its allies, and a wider platform for international mediation efforts.

France, in particular, has framed its recognition as integral to a three-pillar plan: first, recognising the State of Palestine; second, working toward a ceasefire that includes the release of hostages; third, building a sustainable two-state framework.

Israel, predictably, has condemned the move. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognitions as a “reward to terrorism,” and some voices in Israeli politics have warned of diplomatic pushback and possible escalations in policy in response.

“For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state in the face of enormous pressure both from home and abroad. We did it with determination, and we did it with political wisdom. Indeed, we doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria – and we will continue on this path,” he added.

The recognition comes amid mounting domestic and international pressure, as Israel's military campaign in Gaza intensifies.

The growing group of countries formally recognising Palestine as a state includes Canada and Australia .

French President Emmanuel Macron, who also announced yesterday, along with UK’s Keir Starmer, that Palestine would be formally recognised as a state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today, said, “This recognition is the beginning of a journey.”

“A path for peace , to save lives and to try together to live up to the human dignity we owe each other," he added.

However, Japan announced it will not recognise Palestinian statehood at the UNGA, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced on Friday, September 19. 

Starmer warned of the escalating toll in Gaza, where “tens of thousands” have been killed amid Israel ’s “relentless and increasing” bombardment.

The UK joins over 140 UN member states that already recognise Palestinian statehood, marking a significant diplomatic shift as international pressure grows to revive stalled peace efforts.

The foreign minister underscored that Tokyo expects “measures” if Israel seeks to obstruct the implementation of a two-state framework. “Japan will continue to urge the United States , which has great influence on this matter, to further strengthen its efforts to bring about an end to Israel’s unilateral actions in order to improve the situation,” Iwaya said.

The announcement followed phone discussions with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“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.

Operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the activists had intended to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and later deliver a symbolic amount of aid to the region.

Now, a fresh group of activists called the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is attempting to break through Israel's blockade once more in order to bring aid to Gaza.

They argue Israel's blockade is an "illegal siege on Gaza" as it breaches the 4th Geneva Convention against 'collective punishment' of civilians and the San Remo Manual (1994).

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for the past 18 years. Since October 2023, it has further tightened restrictions, limiting the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently stated that Gaza is already experiencing the worst-case scenario of famine. The IPC called for immediate action to end the violence and allow for “unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response” to prevent “catastrophic human suffering”.

However, Israeli officials argue that the blockade is necessary to prevent aid from reaching Hamas. They have labelled the flotilla activists as “terrorists”.

The GSF, made up of dozens of boats and hundreds of activists from 44 countries, left Barcelona, Spain, on September 1. They expect to reach Gaza by mid-September.

“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.”