US President Joe Biden used his final address at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to urge acceptance of a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, brokered with the help of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Highlighting the horrors of Hamas’s October 7 assault and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Biden called on both sides to finalize the terms of the deal, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council.
Biden acknowledged the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution to prevent a wider regional war. He stressed that the conflict’s expansion would serve no one’s interests and noted the urgent need for a peaceful solution to allow civilians on both sides to return home safely.
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In his speech, Biden condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, and took 250 hostages. He also addressed the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where thousands of civilians, including aid workers, have been displaced.
“We must work towards a two-state solution where Israel enjoys security and normalized relations with all its neighbors, and Palestinians live with security, dignity, and self-determination,” Biden said. He urged leaders to remember their role is to serve their people, not cling to power.