New york: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly via videoconference, highlighting the grave situation faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. He described the ongoing conflict as a war crime and a crime against humanity that will be marked in history as one of the most horrific human tragedies of the 20th and 21st centuries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, President Abbas emphasized the severe impact of nearly two years of conflict in the Gaza Strip, which he characterized as a genocidal war resulting in widespread extermination, destruction, starvation, and displacement. He reported that more than 220,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, with the majority being children, women, and elderly civilians. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands, restricted access to food and medicine, and imposed a suffocating siege, leading to the destruction of over 80 percent of Gaza's infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, President Abbas stated the Palestinian Authority's readiness to assume governance and security responsibilities in Gaza, emphasizing that Hamas would have no role in governance and must relinquish its weapons. He commended international efforts towards a two-state solution and expressed gratitude to countries recognizing the State of Palestine. Abbas reiterated Palestine's recognition of Israel's right to exist and called for global support for full UN membership.
President Abbas called for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza, the unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides. He urged the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, cessation of settlement activities, and respect for the historical and legal status of holy sites. Abbas stressed that peace cannot exist without justice and emphasized the Palestinian aspiration for an independent, sovereign state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He concluded by expressing the desire for a peaceful, modern, and civil state free from violence and extremism, focusing on development, technology, and education.