Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will continue its strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite mounting pressure from the U.S., France, and other international allies for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to de-escalate the conflict. Netanyahu’s defiant stance comes as the conflict intensifies, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Beirut and southern Lebanon, killing over 600 people in recent days. The U.S. and its allies have urged both sides to agree to a temporary ceasefire to allow for negotiations and humanitarian relief, but Israeli officials remain committed to military action, citing the need to eliminate Hezbollah threats.
“We will continue our operations,” Netanyahu declared, pushing back against international calls for restraint. “Israel will not allow Hezbollah to endanger our people.” Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces along the northern border, fueling fears of a wider regional conflict as the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages on.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Delivers Defiant Message to UN
At the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the international community with a firm declaration: “We will not leave, we will not leave.” Abbas’ speech comes nearly one year after Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, which has devastated Palestinian territories and led to ongoing humanitarian crises.
Abbas reiterated Palestinian demands for sovereignty and international support, condemning the ongoing Israeli military actions and calling for an immediate end to the occupation of Palestinian lands. His message to the UN was clear: “We will stand firm, despite the violence and oppression.”
Ukraine’s War Efforts and NATO Restrictions
Also at the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged global leaders to support his country’s efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression. Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed Zelenskyy’s calls, urging NATO allies to lift restrictions on missile supplies to Ukraine. Stubb emphasized that Ukraine needs more advanced weaponry to turn the tide in the war and secure its future.
“Ukrainians are fighting not only for their sovereignty but for the principles of international law and democracy,” Stubb said in an interview following his address to the General Assembly. Zelenskyy outlined a comprehensive plan for peace but stressed that Ukraine needs continued military support to make those goals a reality.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II Addresses the UN
Adding to the international discussions at the UN, King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke about the importance of global cooperation in resolving conflicts in the Middle East. His address focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the wider regional instability, calling on the international community to support diplomatic solutions and humanitarian efforts in war-torn areas.
As conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East dominate global discussions, the UN General Assembly has become a platform for world leaders to seek both support and solutions amid these escalating crises.
