Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday condemned Israel's war in Gaza as a "genocide," rejecting any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Strip or to annex the occupied West Bank, and urging the international community to intervene immediately. In a televised address aired on Palestine TV, Abbas described the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as "the worst catastrophe of this time," blaming global silence for enabling what he called the mass killing, starvation, and forced displacement of Palestinians. "What is happening in Gaza — the killing, starvation, destruction and forced displacement — is a disgrace to the international community if it does not act immediately to stop this genocide," he said. Abbas reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, demanding the urgent entry of food and medical supplies into Gaza and the release of Palestinian tax revenues currently withheld by Israel. Appealing directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, Abbas asked Washington to allow UN agencies to deliver aid, warning that hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian supplies remain stranded outside the sealed Gaza Strip. He said over 100 Palestinians — including more than 80 children — have died from hunger and malnutrition in recent weeks, citing figures from Gaza's Health Ministry. "The situation in Gaza is turning into collective death," Abbas warned, calling the blockade a crime against humanity. Abbas insisted that the Palestinian Authority must be allowed to resume full governance in Gaza to oversee reconstruction, restore services, and help displaced civilians return home — all within an internationally supported framework. Turning to the occupied West Bank, Abbas denounced Israel's latest moves toward annexation. His comments followed a symbolic vote in the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, where 71 lawmakers backed a nonbinding proposal to annex the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley. Thirteen members opposed the motion, which was submitted by members of the Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit and Likud parties. "This is a dangerous escalation and a direct attack on the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent and sovereign state," Abbas said, urging the international community to firmly reject any Israeli annexation attempts and to recognize the State of Palestine. He closed his speech by commending the resilience of the Palestinian people, saying: "Your patience and steadfastness are an honor to all of us." — Agencies
