At the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, world leaders turned up the volume on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Gaza Strip. From calls for an immediate ceasefire to urgent pleas for hostages’ release, the message was clear: enough is enough. 💔🕊️
Leaders Sound the Alarm
Kenyan President William Ruto urged a permanent ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages, highlighting the need for a credible political process to make a two-state solution a reality so Israel and Palestine can “live side by side, in peace and in security.”
Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks but decried Israel’s response as “mass extermination,” calling it a war crime that targets Palestinian civilians. Spanish King Don Felipe VI joined the chorus, demanding the Israeli government “stop this massacre now” and fully uphold international humanitarian law.
Estonian President Alar Karis stressed that the violence “has crossed all red lines,” while Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned the deepening crisis is “unbearable,” calling for safe access to humanitarian aid.
On the Ground: Gaza Under Fire
Meanwhile, Israeli forces pressed on with strikes on more than 170 targets in 24 hours, prompting a mass exodus—about 700,000 people have fled Gaza City, once home to nearly a million residents. Health authorities report 24 deaths in the past day, and over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
A failed Hamas attempt to down an Israeli helicopter ended without casualties, as the military claims to have hit “terror infrastructure.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, set to address the UNGA and meet U.S. President Donald Trump, vowed to block any Palestinian state in the heart of Israel.
What’s Next?
As you scroll through your feed, keep an eye on #UNGA and #CeasefireNow, where young voices from Mumbai to Manila are rallying for peace. The debate continues until Monday, but one thing is certain: the world’s eyes are on Gaza, demanding humanity over headlines. 🙏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
