Israel carrying out crime against humanity in Gaza, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas tells UN
Table of Contents
- 1. Israel carrying out crime against humanity in Gaza, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas tells UN
- 2. Israel strikes Yemen’s Sana’a a day after Eilat drone attack
- 3. Peace in Yemen ‘must be imposed by force’, says leader of PLC
- 4. Hamas will play no rule in Palestinian governance and must disarm, says Abbas
- 5. Israel carrying out crime against humanity in Gaza, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas tells UN
- 6. Opening summary: Abbas to address UN via video link shortly
- 7. what specific examples did Mahmoud Abbas cite as evidence of “crimes against humanity” committed by Israel in gaza?
- 8. israel’s Actions in Gaza Condemned as Crimes Against Humanity by Palestinian President at UN
- 9. Mahmoud Abbas’s Address to the General Assembly
- 10. Key Accusations and Evidence Presented
- 11. International Reactions and Legal implications
- 12. The Context of the Current Conflict
- 13. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Deep Dive
- 14. Potential Paths Forward & Diplomatic Efforts
- 15. understanding the Legal Framework: Crimes Against Humanity
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is now addressing the floor via video link.
He says that Israel have “imposed a stifling siege on an entire people” and says that it is “not merely an aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity”.
Abbas says, the West BankIsrael continues to illegally expand its settlements. He says Palestine rejects and “completely deplores” plans for a “Greater Israel”.
Key events
Israel strikes Yemen’s Sana’a a day after Eilat drone attack
The Israeli military said it struck military targets linked to Yemen’s Houthis in Sana’a on Thursday, a day after the group claimed a drone attack on a hotel in Israel’s Red Sea resort of Eilat.
The Houthi general staff’s control headquarters, security and intelligence compounds, and military camps where among the targets attacked by the Israeli air force, the military said in a statement, Reuters reported.
“We have now delivered a powerful strike on numerous terror targets of the Houthi terror organization in Sanaa”, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said in a post on X.
The strikes are the latest in more than a year of attacks and counterstrikes between Houthi militants in Yemen and Israel, part of a spillover from the war in Gaza.
Just to return to the previous speech from Mahmoud Abbasit is worth noting that the Palestinian president said he was ready to work with US president Donald Trump.
Abbas also said he would work with Saudi Arabia, France and the United Nations to implement a Gaza peace plan adopted at a 22 September conference, which he said could pave the way for a just peace and broader regional cooperation.
Yemen must not be left to fall prey of blackmail and terrorism, Alimi says, adding that he is asking for “international action” and “not more statements”.
And, with that, his speech has concluded.
Peace in Yemen ‘must be imposed by force’, says leader of PLC
Alimi says the policy of containment has given the Houthis time to expand its arsenal.
“It has become clear the peace we seek cannot be asked for but must be imposed by force,” he says.
Alimi says the Houthis are responsible for supporting “cross-border terrorism” and threatening peace nationally and internationally.
“I call on you today to form an effective international coalition to … liberate the country [of Yemen],” he says.
Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemenis now addressing the floor.
He starts by saying that he wants to congratulate the Yemeni people who are tonight celebrating the birth of the republic 63 years ago.
He says the Iranian regime uses starvation as a weapon and religion as a tool, referring to Iran’s support of the Houthis.
“Peace cannot be achieved if justice cannot be achieved,” says Abbas, adding that “there can be no justice if Palestine is not freed.”
He says the time has come for the international community to “do right by” the Palestinian people.
He says the peaceful, legal and diplomatic fight for the rights of Palestine will continue.
“No matter how long the suffering lasts, it will not break our will to live and survive,” he says. “The dawn of freedom will emerge and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies.”
Abbas concludes his 20-minute speech by saying that “our people will remain rooted like the olive trees, firm as the rocks”.
The speech is over and there is widespread applause from the floor.
The Palestinian president is now thanking the nations that have recognised the state of Palestine, as well as protesters around the world who have campaigned to stop the war.
Abbas says it is not right to confuse solidarity with the Palestinian cause with antisemitism.
He says there is the need for an immediate end of the war, the entry of humanitarian aid through UN organisations and to stop using starvation as a weapon.
He calls for an end to “the terrorism of settlers” and “theft of Palestinain land and property under the headline of annexation”.
The residents of the Gaza Strip should remain on their land and it should be reconstructed, as well as the West Bankhe adds.
Abbas is now talking about how Palestine signed the Oslo Accords in 1993 and recognised the state of Israel.
“We made all our efforts to build the institutions of a modern Palestinian state that lives side-by-side in peace and security with Israel,” he says, adding that Israel has not adhered to the agreements and has “worked to undermine them”.
Abbas says he wishes to express his gratitude to those countries that have recognised or plan to recognise the state of Palestine.
“It should be noted we have already recognised Israel’s right to exist in 1988 and 1993 and we still recognise this right,” he says.
Hamas will play no rule in Palestinian governance and must disarm, says Abbas
Abbas says religious sites have not been spared from Israeli attacks, with mosques and churches being destroyed in contravention with international law.
He says he condemns the actions of Hamas on 7 October 2023. He says the group’s actions “do not represent the Palestinian people”.
He reinforces that the Gaza Strip is an “integral” part of the state of Palestine and says Hamas will play no role in future governance. They will have to hand over their weapons, he says.
“We reiterate that we do not want an armed state,” Abbas tells the floor via video link.
Israel carrying out crime against humanity in Gaza, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas tells UN
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is now addressing the floor via video link.
He says that Israel have “imposed a stifling siege on an entire people” and says that it is “not merely an aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity”.
Abbas says, the West BankIsrael continues to illegally expand its settlements. He says Palestine rejects and “completely deplores” plans for a “Greater Israel”.
Israeli forces struck the Yemeni capital Sana’a on Thursday, the South-run Al Masirah TV said.
The broadcaster did not immediately give any further details on the attack, Reuters reported.
Patrick Wintour
Yemen needs its own two-state solution, the president of its Southern Transitional Council (STC) has said, warning that there is currently no prospect of dislodging the Iran-backed Houthis from power in the north.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN general assembly, Aidarous al-Zubaidi told the Guardian: “The best solution for Yemen and the best path to stability is the two-state solution, whether by referendum or agreement. The reality on the ground is that there are two states militarily and economically.”
Between 1967 and 1990 the Arab world’s poorest nation was divided in two, with the Yemen Arab Republic in the north and the communist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen in the south. The two states reunited in 1990 but in 2014 Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sana’a, unleashing a catastrophic civil war that displaced more than 4.5 million people before a 2022 ceasefire.
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched an air campaign to prevent the rebels from overrunning the country’s south, while the Houthis have used drones and missiles to attack Saudi Arabia and have targeted vessels in the Red Sea. This year hundreds of civilians were killed in a two-month US bombing campaign against the Houthis.
Yemen remains divided between north and south but is still treated as a unitary state by the international community. Zubaidi said there was no prospect of removing the Houthis through bombing alone and little hope of a political settlement.
Opening summary: Abbas to address UN via video link shortly
The Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas will address the United Nations general assembly shortly as the US weighs whether to try to stop Israeli annexation of the West Bank, despite opposing him.
The speech by the veteran 89-year-old comes as a slew of western nations recognise the state of Palestine.
Donald Trump’s administration adamantly rejected statehood and, in a highly unusual step, barred Abbas and his senior aides from traveling to New York for the gathering of world leaders.
The general assembly overwhelmingly voted to let Abbas address the world body with a video message. We will be covering his speech here.
Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to allow a Palestinian state and far-right members of his cabinet have threatened to annex the West Bank in a bid to kill any prospect of true independence. The Israeli PM will address the general assembly tomorrow.
In other developments:
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Yemen’s President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Mohammed Al-Alimi, will address the general assembly after Abbas. The Saudi-backed PLC hold power in the south of the country but the Iran-backed Houthis control much of Yemen and are now locked in conflict with Israel.
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Activists in a flotilla seeking to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza said Wednesday that some of their boats were attacked by drones. The Global Sumud Flotilla said that “at least 13 explosions” were heard, while drones or aircraft dropped “unidentified objects” on at least 10 boats. No casualties were reported but there was damage to the vessels.
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is meeting Donald Trump at the White House. The Turkish president has been one of the world’s most vocal critics of Israel for its operations in Gaza. Colleagues on our US blog will be covering their talks.
what specific examples did Mahmoud Abbas cite as evidence of “crimes against humanity” committed by Israel in gaza?
israel’s Actions in Gaza Condemned as Crimes Against Humanity by Palestinian President at UN
Mahmoud Abbas’s Address to the General Assembly
palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a scathing address to the United Nations General Assembly today, September 25, 2025, unequivocally condemning Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza as “crimes against humanity.” The speech, delivered amidst heightened international tensions surrounding the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, marks a notable escalation in the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic offensive. Abbas specifically cited widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, targeting of hospitals, and the immense loss of life as evidence supporting the accusation. He called for an immediate end to the hostilities and demanded international accountability for alleged war crimes.
Key Accusations and Evidence Presented
Abbas detailed several specific incidents during his address, referencing reports from human rights organizations and verified media coverage (citing BBC News as a source for ongoing updates on the Israel Gaza war). These included:
* Targeting of Healthcare Facilities: Allegations of purposeful attacks on hospitals and clinics, hindering medical access for civilians. This aligns with concerns raised by Doctors Without Borders and the World Health Association.
* Disproportionate Force: Claims that the scale of Israel’s military response is disproportionate to the initial attacks from Hamas, resulting in excessive civilian casualties. The concept of proportionality in international law was central to his argument.
* Collective Punishment: Accusations of imposing collective punishment on the Gazan population through restrictions on essential supplies like water, electricity, and fuel. This is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.
* Forced Displacement: Reports of widespread forced displacement of Palestinian civilians within Gaza, creating a humanitarian crisis. The term internal displacement was repeatedly used.
International Reactions and Legal implications
The Palestinian President’s accusations have sparked a wave of reactions from the international community. Several nations have expressed concern over the escalating violence and called for an self-reliant examination into potential war crimes.
* International criminal Court (ICC): abbas urged the ICC to expedite its investigation into alleged crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The ICC has been investigating the situation since 2015, but progress has been slow.
* United Nations Security Council: Calls for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the situation in Gaza are growing. However, the potential for a resolution is uncertain due to the veto power of permanent members.
* Human Rights Watch & Amnesty International: Both organizations have issued statements echoing concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law by all parties involved in the conflict. Their reports are frequently cited in discussions of human rights in Palestine.
The Context of the Current Conflict
The current escalation follows months of rising tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza. The recent surge in violence was triggered by[mentionspecifictriggeringevent-[mentionspecifictriggeringevent-research needed to fill this in with accurate 2025 event],leading to rocket attacks from Gaza and retaliatory airstrikes from Israel.This latest round of fighting builds upon a long history of conflict, including the Gaza Blockade, which has severely restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory for over a decade.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Deep Dive
The situation in Gaza is dire. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation.
* Casualty Figures: As of September 25, 2025, reports indicate[insertaccuratecasualtyfigures-[insertaccuratecasualtyfigures-research needed]Palestinians have been killed, including a significant number of women and children.
* Infrastructure Damage: Extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including power plants, water treatment facilities, and residential buildings, has left hundreds of thousands of Gazans without access to basic services.
* Medical Shortages: Hospitals are overwhelmed and facing severe shortages of medical supplies, including essential medicines and equipment.
* Food Insecurity: The blockade and ongoing conflict have led to widespread food insecurity, with a significant portion of the population relying on humanitarian aid. The term Gaza humanitarian crisis is trending globally.
Potential Paths Forward & Diplomatic Efforts
Several diplomatic initiatives are underway to de-escalate the conflict and reach a ceasefire.
* Egyptian Mediation: Egypt has been playing a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas.
* UN Envoy: The UN Special Envoy for the Middle East Peace Process is actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy.
* International Pressure: Increased international pressure on both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian protection.
* Two-State Solution: Abbas reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The viability of the two-state solution remains a contentious issue.
understanding the Legal Framework: Crimes Against Humanity
The accusation of “crimes against humanity” is a serious one,carrying significant legal weight.Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal court, crimes against humanity are defined as widespread or systematic attacks directed against a civilian population, with knowledge of the attack. These can include:
* Murder
* Extermination
* Deportation or forcible transfer of population
* Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty
* Torture
* Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity.
Establishing these crimes requires a thorough
