Across the war-battered enclave, Israeli attacks have killed at least 65 people, according to medical sources. Among those killed, 23 were aid seekers, Al Jazeera reported.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, at least 59,921 people have been killed and 145,233 wounded.
Speaking at the opening of the UN conference in New York, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Israel and Palestine are at a “breaking point” with a two-state solution further away than ever before.
“We are here today with our eyes wide open, fully aware of the challenges before us,” Guterres said. “We know that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has endured for generations, defying hopes, defying diplomacy, defying countless resolutions and indeed defying international law.”
But “its persistence is not inevitable. It can be resolved,” he said, adding the realities of the war on Gaza make forging a two-state solution even more pressing.
“Nothing can justify the obliteration of Gaza that has unfolded before the eyes of the world,” Guterres said. “Precisely because of the grim realities, we must do even more to realise the two-state solution. … Today’s conference is a rare and indispensable opportunity.”
Read more: Former US President Obama condemns Gaza starvation deaths as sheer injustice
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s latest comments on the humanitarian situation in Gaza include some very strident criticism of Israel.
After being asked how much of this is Israel’s responsibility, Trump said: Israel “has a lot of responsibility” and “I think Israel can do a lot”.
Earlier, he was asked whether he agreed with Netanyahu’s assessment that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip. “Not particularly,” he responded. “I see it, and you can’t fake that … That’s real starvation stuff.”
Trump went on to say the humanitarian situation is “our priority, getting children fed”. He outlined what looks like a brand new plan – working with allies, including the UK and the EU – to set up new food centres all over the Gaza Strip that have no boundaries or fences, that people can access more easily, appearing to criticise the chaotic conditions in which food is being distributed now by GHF, an organisation that is US-backed.
But it seems there is no detail as to exactly how or when those changes may come about.
On the other side, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says there is “no alternative” to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine as he opened a UN conference on the matter.
“Only a political, two-state solution will help respond to the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. There is no alternative,” he said.
Israel has reiterated countless times there will be no process towards a two-state solution as it continues its war on Gaza.
