Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue despite repeated calls from world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly to halt the assault. At least 85 more people were killed, including 12 displaced civilians sheltering at the Al-Ahli Stadium in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Among the dead were seven women and two children.
According to a report by Al Jazeera on Thursday (September 25), the attacks intensified from early Wednesday (September 24) morning. The Al-Ahli Stadium, which had become a temporary shelter for thousands of displaced families, turned into the site of a bloody massacre. The overnight strikes across Gaza left at least 85 Palestinians dead—more than double the casualties of the previous day.
Najwa, a woman who fled Gaza City, told Al Jazeera:
“We left with nothing but what we had in our hands. We have nothing left. We are terrified. Even traveling is costly, and we can’t afford to bring our belongings.”
The United Nations has warned that Israeli forces are spreading fear in Gaza City, forcing thousands to flee. However, Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi claimed that Palestinians are being pushed southward “for security reasons.”
But UN investigators dismissed this claim. The UN Commission of Inquiry stated that Israel’s actions are aimed at establishing permanent control over Gaza and ensuring Jewish demographic dominance in the West Bank. Halevi further said most residents had already fled Gaza City, and the military would press forward with operations.
On Wednesday, several world leaders condemned Israel’s aggression during the UN General Assembly session. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, “Those who terrorize people by killing children are not worthy of humanity.” Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaw called for an immediate ceasefire.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted that quiet diplomatic discussions were underway to revive peace talks, based on the “New York Declaration” adopted in July. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff added that Washington was “hopeful that some progress could be announced within days,” while President Donald Trump’s 21-point peace plan had already been presented to global leaders.
Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted peace initiatives, including Trump’s mediation. Earlier this month in Doha, he ordered the assassination of Hamas leaders. On March 18, he unilaterally abandoned the last ceasefire, escalating air raids and imposing a full blockade on aid—leading to famine and mass deaths. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a war crimes arrest warrant against him.
Meanwhile, protests against Netanyahu are intensifying inside Israel. Before his departure for the UN, hundreds gathered at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv demanding his resignation. Yet, his office later announced that he once again rejected international calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, at least 65,419 Palestinians have been killed and 167,160 injured. Thousands more are still feared trapped under the rubble.
