Israel-Gaza live updates: France, UK, Canada recognize Palestinian statehood

11 nations have decided to proceed with recognition of Palestine.

Last Updated: September 21, 2025, 12:39 PM EDT

The Israeli military began a ground offensive in Gaza City, the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday, with two IDF divisions moving toward the city. A third was expected to join them.

In images taken from the Israel-Gaza border, plumes of smoke could be seen rising above the city, which is the largest in the Gaza Strip. Large explosions were reported across the city.

About 450,000 people had evacuated Gaza City as of Thursday, according to the IDF.

Sep 19, 2025, 2:14 PM EDT

Israeli forces suspend transit of convoys through Jordanian crosspoint after 2 killed

Israeli forces suspended the transiting of "all convoys" traveling from Jordan into Israel at the Allenby Crossing a day after two people were killed there, Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement on Friday.

The crossing will remain closed until "the completion of the inquiry" into what happened, Zamir said.

Humanitarian aid convoys heading to Gaza use this corridor. There are two other crossing points between Israel and Jordan, but humanitarian aid trucks have been passing from Jordan to Gaza through Israel from this crossing point because it is closest to the border with Gaza.

-ABC News' Dorit Long

Sep 19, 2025, 12:18 PM EDT

Palestinian President Abbas will be allowed to address UNGA virtually next week

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelming on Friday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address next week's gathering of world leaders virtually after the Trump administration declined to grant him a visa.

The motion passed by a vote of 145-5 with six abstentions. The U.S., Israel, Paraguay, Palau and Nauru voted against it.

"The Trump administration has been clear: we must hold the [Palestine Liberation Organization] and the Palestinian Authority accountable for not complying with their commitments under the Oslo accords," the U.S. envoy said ahead of the vote.

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud attends a welcoming ceremony with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey, September 18, 2025.
Turkish Presidential Press Office/EPA/Shutterstock

Typically, leaders must be present in New York during UNGA to speak before the assembly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly met entirely virtually.

During the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.N. allowed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address the assembly through a pre-recorded video message -- a move that garnered pushback from Moscow at the time.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Sep 19, 2025, 10:39 AM EDT

33 dead in strikes, 4 starve to death: Gaza Ministry of Health

At least 33 people died and 146 others were injured over the past 24 hours due to Israeli forces, Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health said on Friday afternoon.

That brings the death toll in Gaza since the war began to 65,174, according to the health ministry.

Among those killed over the past day was one person trying to collect humanitarian aid, while another 17 were injured, the health ministry said.

Four people, including a child, starved to death in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry.

At least 440 people, including 147 children, have died of starvation in Gaza since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, the health ministry noted.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara

Sep 18, 2025, 4:57 PM EDT

US vetoes Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire, hostage exchange

The U.S. vetoed another Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

"Council Members ignored when the United States made clear that this resolution was unacceptable. The Council instead opted for a performative action -- designed to draw a veto -- that extends Hamas terrorists and those who fund them and support them, and gives them a lifeline," U.S. United Nations Counselor Morgan Ortagus said in a statement delivered to the USSC before the vote.

"It is beyond time that Hamas release every single hostage now and surrender immediately. The United States will continue to work with its partners to bring an end to this horrific conflict for the sake of the people of Gaza, who deserve a future free from Hamas, and of the whole Middle East, which is ready to move to a new chapter of peace and prosperity," Ortagus added.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

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