Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, stating that Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe challenges, which he described as a "genocidal war." He accused Israeli forces of causing death, destruction, starvation, and displacement. Abbas delivered his remarks via a prerecorded video from his office in Ramallah after being denied a visa to attend the assembly for the second consecutive year.
In his speech, Abbas characterized the situation in Gaza as an "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe." He also claimed that Israeli settlers are increasing violence and expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, leading to fragmentation of the territory and isolation of East Jerusalem.
Abbas remarked, "What is taking place in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem are not isolated incidents but rather a malicious colonial scheme aimed at making the lives of Palestinians more difficult in their homeland and forcing them to leave it." He noted that the Palestinian leadership had welcomed President Donald Trump's 20-point plan and a U.N. Security Council resolution, but expressed disappointment that these initiatives had not been implemented on the ground.