Recognition Of Palestinian State Offers No Relief For Gazans

Recognition Of Palestinian State Offers No Relief For Gazans

A man examines the aftermath of Israeli strikes on residential buildings at Shati (Beach) refugee camp.

Cairo/Gaza:

Israeli forces advanced further into densely populated areas of Gaza City on Tuesday, serving as a stark reminder to Gazans that Western recognition of Palestinian statehood provides no respite from the ongoing war as tanks approach their neighborhoods.

Israel continued its offensive in Gaza just one day after numerous world leaders gathered at the United Nations to endorse a Palestinian state. This diplomatic milestone, coming after nearly two years of conflict, faces strong opposition from Israel and its close ally, the United States.

Medical personnel reported at least four fatalities from an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential building in Gaza City. Israeli authorities have urged civilians to evacuate to southern Gaza as tanks move forward.

Explosions Destroy Homes And Roads In Gaza

"We aren't standing firm by choice, we're simply helpless. We lack funds to relocate southward and have no assurance that Israeli forces won't bomb us there, so we remain where we are," said Huda, a mother of two from Gaza City.

"The children constantly shake from explosion sounds, as do we. They're obliterating a city with thousands of years of history while the world celebrates symbolic recognition of a state that won't prevent our deaths," she communicated to Reuters via messaging application.

Israeli forces detonated explosive-laden vehicles in the Sabra and Tel Al-Hawa suburbs as tanks made significant progress toward western Gaza City. Local residents reported that these explosions destroyed numerous homes and roadways.

Three hospitals ceased operations on Monday due to Israel's ground offensive in the city, further weakening healthcare infrastructure and depriving residents of essential medical services, according to local authorities.

President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize Palestinian statehood at a meeting he organized with Saudi Arabia - a significant development that might boost Palestinian morale but seemed unlikely to substantially change conditions on the ground.

Israel has maintained that such initiatives undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Two-State Solution

The two-state solution formed the foundation of the US-backed peace process initiated by the 1993 Oslo Accords. This process encountered significant resistance from both sides and has effectively collapsed.

No negotiations regarding a two-state solution have occurred since 2014.

Israel's most far-right government in history has declared there will be no Palestinian state as it continues its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.

Israel has faced worldwide condemnation for its military operations in Gaza, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have perished, according to local health authorities.

Despite international criticism, Israel has launched a ground assault on Gaza City with limited prospects for a ceasefire, and demands Hamas release the remaining hostages captured during the 2023 attack.

Gaza City, the capital of the Gaza Strip, previously housed Hamas' strongest battalions before the war began.

"Are we now being killed as citizens of the state of Palestine? Is that what's happening?" questioned Abu Mustafa, hours after fleeing his Gaza City home due to approaching Israeli tanks.

"Those countries that suddenly remembered Palestine was occupied have forgotten that Gaza is being annihilated. We want the war to end, we want our slaughter to stop - that's what we need now, not declarations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed global criticism of his military campaign and Israel's increasing isolation, stating that operations will continue until Hamas is eliminated.

However, he has not presented a plan for Gaza's future management after the war ends, with much of the territory reduced to rubble.

Trump To Address UN General Assembly

US President Donald Trump will meet with leaders and officials from multiple Muslim-majority countries on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza, a territory suffering from a humanitarian crisis including widespread hunger.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that Trump would hold a multilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan. A source familiar with the matter confirmed Gaza would be discussed.

Axios reported that Trump would present the group with a proposal for peace and post-war governance in Gaza.

Washington seeks agreement from Arab and Muslim countries to deploy military forces to Gaza, enabling Israel's withdrawal and securing funding for transition and reconstruction programs, according to Axios.

In February, Trump proposed US administration of Gaza and permanent relocation of Palestinians from the territory. UN rights experts labeled this an "ethnic cleansing" proposal. Forcible displacement violates international law. Trump characterized the plan as a redevelopment initiative.

Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.