Gaza Conflict Intensifies as International Pressure Mounts
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened over the last 24 hours with continued Israeli airstrikes and gunfire resulting in dozens of casualties, as international calls for a ceasefire grew louder. Health officials reported at least 38 people killed across Gaza in early Saturday morning strikes, including nine members of the same family in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Another report indicated 40 people killed since dawn on September 28, 2025. Hamas has stated that it has not received any new ceasefire proposals, attributing the suspension of negotiations to an Israeli attack on its negotiating team in early September. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir pushed for a controversial death penalty bill, arguing it would help secure the release of hostages, rejecting requests to delay discussions. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud urged the international community to take responsibility and end the war, warning that global inaction threatens regional and world stability. Meanwhile, the European Union welcomed the reopening of the Israeli-controlled King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge, which had been shut down following an attack on Israeli forces.
UN General Assembly Addresses Global Challenges
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) continued to be a focal point for international diplomacy. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a strong address, accusing Pakistan of being a "hub of terrorism" and emphasizing the need for UN reforms, stating the organization is "gridlocked" and in dire need of change. He also discussed the world's need for a global workforce and the emergence of new trade arrangements. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated an "urgent call" for Israel to allow safe humanitarian access into Gaza. Iceland's Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir warned of "systematic ethnic cleansing" occurring in Gaza. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Europe to cease imports of Russian oil and gas, linking these revenues directly to the ongoing conflict. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that peace had been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, crediting US President Donald Trump for his "decisive role" in the historic agreement. On another front, UN sanctions on Iran are set to be reimposed after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution extending the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a move denounced by Iran as "unjustifiable, legally baseless". Tibetan activists also protested outside the UN, calling for global support.
European Security Bolstered, Trade Policies Shift
In response to alarming violations of airspace, the European Union formally launched an initiative to establish a "drone wall" along its eastern flank. This groundbreaking step comes amidst a series of drone incursions, which Denmark, Romania, and Estonia have recently experienced, despite Russia denying responsibility. Meanwhile, Czech officials condemned Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine, which killed at least four people.
Economically, former US President Donald Trump's administration is set to implement new tariffs on October 1st, including a 100% tariff on drugs and a 25% tariff on trucks. In Southeast Asia, Thailand and South Korea are expediting efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Other Global Developments
BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs condemned a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that occurred on April 22. The United Arab Emirates unveiled its first Sovereign Mobility Cloud and the Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ), a 15-kilometer corridor for driverless vehicles, aiming for operational status by early 2026. World Tourism Day 2025, observed on September 27, highlighted "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation" as its theme.