Israeli Forces Push Deeper into Gaza as Netanyahu Heads to UN; Trump Pursues Peace Deal

CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Sept 25 (Reuters) – Israeli forces advanced further into Gaza City on Thursday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, while U.S. President Donald Trump pressed for a deal to end the Gaza war.

At least 19 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the enclave, Gaza health officials said, including 11 members of two families in the central town of Zawayda after warplanes struck a residential building.

The Israeli military did not comment on the incident but said it had hit 170 targets in the past 24 hours, describing them as “terror infrastructure” used by militant groups.  

U.S. Envoy Seeks Breakthrough

Israeli tanks have entered Gaza City as part of an offensive aimed at dismantling Hamas following its October 2023 attack on Israel. The assault has devastated the territory, creating widespread hunger and what aid agencies call a humanitarian catastrophe.

Netanyahu insists Gaza City is Hamas’ last stronghold, but hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped with few safe options.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington was confident of a breakthrough within days after Trump unveiled a 21-point Middle East peace plan to leaders of Muslim-majority countries in New York. According to Politico, Trump assured Arab leaders that Israel would not annex the occupied West Bank — land Palestinians seek for a future state alongside Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Netanyahu, however, has vowed there will never be a Palestinian state. Britain, France, Canada and other nations this week formally recognised Palestinian statehood, while some of Netanyahu’s right-wing allies are pushing for annexation of the West Bank.

Netanyahu to Address UN, Meet Trump

Israel’s military campaign has left it increasingly isolated on the world stage. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes, charges Israel rejects.

Despite this, Washington has remained Israel’s staunchest ally. Trump told the U.N. that recognising Palestinian statehood now would reward what he called Hamas atrocities and risk prolonging conflict.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Friday before meeting Trump next week. Ahead of his departure, he vowed to denounce countries that recognised Palestinian statehood and said discussions with Trump would focus on defeating Hamas, freeing hostages, and expanding diplomatic ties with states that do not formally recognise Israel.

 Hostages and Humanitarian Crisis

Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault killed around 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage. Roughly 48 remain in captivity, with about 20 believed to be alive. Hamas’ armed wing has warned that Israel’s deepening assault on Gaza City endangers those hostages.

Gaza’s health authorities say more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. Israel has urged residents to turn against Hamas, while aid agencies warn of acute shortages of food, medicine and medical facilities.

In Jordan, Afkar Alwan, a mother of five, told Reuters her son Yaman was evacuated from Gaza last month for treatment after malnutrition worsened his kidney condition.
“By God, the situation in Gaza is very tragic,” she said. “There are no laboratories, and hospitals are in a deplorable state.”