Smoke billows following an air strike during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestine, September 24, 2025. /VCG
World leaders turned their attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, urging an immediate ceasefire on Wednesday, the second day of the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state before departing for New York to address the UNGA.
In his speech at the UNGA, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed a grave concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling for a permanent ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages. He also called for launching a credible political process through which the vision of a two-state solution can be realized to enable Israel and Palestine to "live side by side, in peace and in security."
Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and urged an immediate, unconditional release of all hostages, while saying Israel's actions have long shattered any pretense of legitimate self-defense. "This is (a) war crime," said the president, as "what we are witnessing is not warfare, but mass extermination – a systematic slaughter and displacement of Palestinian men, women, and children."
Spanish King Don Felipe VI said his country is pained by the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. "We, therefore, cry out, we implore, we demand: stop this massacre now. No more deaths," he said. While condemning the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, he demanded that "the Israeli government fully uphold international humanitarian law throughout Gaza and the West Bank."
"The dignity of the human being is non-negotiable," he added, describing a rules-based world as "the best defense against the law of the strongest."
"What has unfolded in Gaza has crossed all red lines," said Estonian President Alar Karis, calling for a comprehensive political process, with the goal of achieving two states, to end the cycle of violence.
Civilians in Gaza are experiencing immense suffering, said Finnish President Alexander Stubb. "The deepening humanitarian crisis has reached unbearable levels and represents a failure of the international system," he said, demanding an immediate ceasefire, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages.
Representatives from UN member states, including some 150 heads of state and government, are gathering in New York this week to address major global issues during the UNGA general debate, which began on Tuesday and will conclude on Monday.
Ongoing offensive
Israeli forces continued their offensive across the Gaza Strip on Thursday local time, carrying out strikes on 170 separate targets in the past 24 hours. Footage showed tanks in southwestern Gaza City, where heavy bombardments have triggered a mass exodus of residents.
Citing security sources, several Israeli media outlets reported on Wednesday that about 700,000 residents have already fled Gaza City, which previously had an estimated population of around 1 million.
The Israeli military claimed in a statement that its strikes hit "terrorists, military structures, weapons storage facilities and terror infrastructure sites." Health authorities in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed over the past day.
The Israeli military further claimed that its troops also killed militants and dismantled Hamas infrastructure, including positions used to ambush soldiers.
In a separate incident, Hamas attempted to shoot down an Israeli combat helicopter with a projectile, which failed to hit its target. The military said no injuries or damage were reported.
Before his departure, Netanyahu said his UN address would "condemn those leaders who, instead of denouncing (Hamas), want to give them a state in the heart of the land of Israel. That will not happen."
He added that he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, their fourth meeting since Trump's reelection, to discuss the Gaza war and regional opportunities, which he claimed have been created by Israel's recent military attacks across the Middle East.
The Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 65,419 Palestinians since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities.