Islam Net

The US has denied visas to Palestinian officials set to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this September—effectively silencing Palestinian voices on the world stage.

The Trump Administration justified the decision on “national security interests,” with officials accusing the Palestinian Authority of “not complying with commitments” and “undermining peace.”

Yet, the Palestinian Authority has publicly condemned terrorism, denounced the October 7 attacks, and even called for the disarmament of Hamas.

In stark contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu—who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant—will be welcomed at the Assembly with no security concerns.

For perspective: in 2013, the US denied entry to Sudan’s president for the same reason—his ICC arrest warrant. Why the double standard now?

The Israeli military has officially declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone,” escalating its assault while suspending the daily pauses in fighting that previously allowed limited humanitarian aid to enter northern Gaza.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, military spokesman Avichay Adraee announced:

“We are not waiting. We have begun preliminary operations and the initial stages of the attack on Gaza City.”

“We are currently operating with great force on the outskirts of the city,” he said.

This announcement effectively ended the so-called “tactical pauses” that humanitarian organizations had relied on to deliver very limited food, medicine, and vital supplies to starving civilians—supplies that were already severely restricted by the Israeli blockade and ongoing military operations.

Starting Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. local time (07:00 GMT), these pauses no longer apply in Gaza City—leaving an already desperate population completely cut off.

The escalation comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Aid groups warn that the manmade famine has already killed at least 322 people, including 121 children. With the lifeline of humanitarian access severed, these numbers could rise rapidly.

In the aftermath of the announcement, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee their homes in Sheikh Radwan and surrounding neighborhoods, seeking refuge further west in Gaza City.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting, facing displacement, starvation, and intensifying bombardment. Families are being pushed from one unsafe area to another, with nowhere truly secure to turn.