Netanyahu Addresses UN Amid Gaza Offensive and Trump's Peace Plan Efforts

Israeli forces advanced deeper into Gaza City on Thursday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, amid ongoing efforts by US President Donald Trump to broker a deal to end the Gaza war.

Some of Netanyahu's coalition allies want Israel to annex the West Bank. (File)

According to local health authorities, Israeli strikes killed at least 19 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, including 11 people from two families when airstrikes hit a residential building in Zawayda town in central Gaza.

The Israeli military reported striking 170 targets across Gaza in the previous 24 hours, targeting what they described as "terror infrastructure" used by militant groups against their soldiers. Israeli forces have now penetrated deep into Gaza City.

The current offensive, which Israel says aims to eliminate Hamas following the October 2023 attack, has resulted in widespread destruction, humanitarian crisis, and severe food insecurity. Netanyahu has characterized Gaza City as Hamas's final stronghold, though hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped there with limited safe evacuation options.

US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed confidence on Wednesday about securing a breakthrough on Gaza in the coming days, after Trump shared a 21-point Middle East peace plan with leaders from Muslim-majority nations in New York. According to Politico, Trump has assured Arab leaders he would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank, an area Palestinians consider essential for an independent state alongside Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Netanyahu has consistently opposed Palestinian statehood, even as Britain, France, Canada, and other nations have recently extended formal recognition. Several of Netanyahu's coalition partners actively advocate for West Bank annexation.

Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation over its military operations in Gaza, with increasing criticism from European nations and others regarding its conduct. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Netanyahu's arrest over alleged war crimes in Gaza, though Israel rejects the court's jurisdiction and denies these allegations.

Despite international pressure, Netanyahu maintains crucial support from the United States. Trump told the UN this week that recognizing a Palestinian state risked rewarding what he termed Hamas atrocities and could perpetuate conflict.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Friday and meet with Trump next week. Before departing Israel on Thursday, he stated his intention to denounce leaders who had recognized a Palestinian state and to discuss Gaza war objectives with Trump, including Hamas's defeat and the release of remaining hostages. He also plans to explore expanding diplomatic relations with nations that don't officially recognize Israel.

The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. Of the 48 hostages still in captivity, only about 20 are believed to be alive. According to local health authorities, Israel's military campaign has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Hamas's armed wing has warned that expanded Israeli operations in Gaza City would endanger remaining hostages, while Israel's military has urged Gaza residents to "rise and break away from Hamas" to end the conflict.

In Jordan, Afkar Alwan told Reuters about her young son Yaman's evacuation from Gaza last month for urgent medical care. His congenital kidney condition had worsened due to severe malnutrition and medical shortages. "By God, the situation in Gaza is very tragic," she said. "There are no laboratories and the hospitals, of course...the situation there is deplorable."