Palestinian President Abbas Urges UN to Intervene and Halt the Gaza Conflict

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday to intervene and halt the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas militants. He highlighted the devastation inflicted on Gaza, stating that it has been rendered uninhabitable.

"This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people," Abbas expressed to the assembly of 193 member states.

The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli reports.

In retaliation, the Israeli military has carried out extensive bombardments across Gaza, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and leading to widespread hunger and disease, with the death toll exceeding 41,000, as reported by Palestinian health authorities.

Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas have so far not succeeded.

During his address, Abbas called for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the cessation of attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the provision of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and the full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the area.

"We refuse the establishment of buffer zones or taking any part from Gaza," he stated. "We will not allow a single centimeter of Gaza to be taken."

Abbas emphasized that the Palestinian Authority should assume full responsibility for the Gaza Strip and enforce its jurisdiction over it, including control of border checkpoints, particularly at the international Rafah border.

He further noted that the Palestinian Authority should oversee all Palestinian territories and expressed intentions to hold elections once the conflict concludes.

In response, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Abbas’ remarks, accusing him of only advocating for peace at the United Nations while failing to denounce the October 7 attack by Hamas that initiated the current crisis.