Newsroom
The prospect of an independent Palestinian state is under severe strain as Israel continues military operations in Gaza, a UN report alleges constitute genocide. The report by the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent Commission of Inquiry accuses Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting crimes against humanity, including “extermination, torture, rape, sexual violence,” and targeting children.
According to an article by Kathimerini's Pavlos Xanthoulis, Israel rejected the findings, calling them slanderous and based on “false Hamas claims,” while asserting it remains committed to international law and minimizing civilian harm.
Meanwhile, the United States is reportedly planning to replace Gaza with a technology or tourism hub under Israeli control, blocking Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, from attending the UN General Assembly in New York. Several European nations, including the U.K., France, Australia, and Canada, are considering recognizing a Palestinian state symbolically at the Assembly, though the move is unlikely to alter U.S. opposition or conditions on the ground.
The European Union remains divided over possible measures against Israel. Proposals for trade suspensions and targeted sanctions have stalled, with Germany and other member states reluctant to act, leaving the two-state solution increasingly in doubt.
As Gaza faces full-scale occupation and West Bank settlements expand, critics warn there may soon be no viable territory left for a Palestinian state.
