Gaza Stuck in Limbo as Netanyahu Prepares UN Address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to address the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, with conditions in Gaza still dire for more than two million Palestinians nearly three years after the war began.

A year has passed since a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and Arab allies promised to end the Israel-Hamas war and rebuild the devastated territory. The agreement halted major military operations, secured the release of all remaining hostages and expanded humanitarian access.

However, it has not delivered on broader commitments: a new Palestinian administration backed by international forces, an end to Israeli strikes and a halt to Israel's control over more than half of the Strip.

Israel has linked progress on these issues to Hamas' complete disarmament. The militant group and the Trump administration say the steps should proceed in parallel.

Ahead of elections this month, Netanyahu has hardened his position, openly defying Trump, his most important ally. He has faced criticism over security and intelligence failures before the October 7 attack, with opponents accusing him of being soft on Hamas. That leaves him little room for even minor compromises on Gaza until a new government is formed, a process that could take months.

In the meantime, virtually nothing has been rebuilt. Hamas is weakened but still in power, and the war's endgame remains unclear. Most Palestinians are sheltering in rodent-infested tent camps, in the rubble of former neighborhoods or in war-damaged buildings at risk of collapse.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not attend the General Assembly in person for a second consecutive year after the United States refused to issue him a visa. He will address the assembly by video on the same day as Netanyahu. Under its agreement with the United Nations, the United States as host country is required to allow diplomats from all member states to attend meetings.