CNN, with Trump plan hostages free in 48 hours. Netanyahu to UN: 'Genocide is false accusation'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never intended to annex the West Bank as a reaction to the recognition of Palestine, Israeli television network Channel 12 reported, citing government sources. "There will be no annexation and Netanyahu never thought so, because it will not jeopardise the Abrahamic Accords," the sources explained.

According to the sources, Trump's announcement lacking annexation on the subject helps Netanyahu avoid pressure from far-right elements in his government, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir: "Trump pulled the chestnuts out of [Netanyahu's] fire. What will Smotrich and Ben Gvir say now? Annexation, even though Trump said no'.

I address my thanks to the opposition parties and exponents who, taking up the wise words of President Mattarella - to whom we are grateful - have invited the Flotilla activists to accept the alternative solutions proposed and in particular to hand over the aid to Cyprus, to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. At this stage it is crucial to work to ensure the safety of the people involved and not to pander to those who claim that the goal of the initiative should be to force the Israeli naval blockade. A choice that would be extremely dangerous'. This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Medics Without Borders (Msf) is forced to suspend medical activities in Gaza City due to the incessant Israeli offensive and the rapidly deteriorating security situation, including continuous air strikes and the advance of tanks less than a kilometre from Msf's health facilities. The intensification of attacks by Israeli forces has created an unacceptable level of risk for the staff, denounced the NGO in a note, in which it assured that it would continue its activities in the south of the Strip. "We had no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are surrounded by Israeli forces. This is the last thing we would have wanted, as the needs in Gaza City are enormous and the most vulnerable people - the infants in intensive care, the critically injured and the terminally ill - cannot move and are in grave danger,' says Jacob Granger, Msf's emergency coordinator in Gaza. There are still hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza City who cannot leave and have no choice but to stay. Those who are able to leave are still faced with an untenable decision: to remain in Gaza City despite intense military operations and intensifying evacuation orders, or to abandon what remains of their homes, possessions and personal memories and move to areas where humanitarian conditions are rapidly collapsing.

The navigation of the Global Sumud Flotilla through international waters towards the Gaza Strip continues in the Mediterranean. The crews are currently south of Crete and, despite having been hit in recent days by two drones and appeals not to trespass on Israeli territory, they do not appear at all willing to reverse course.

"We are not doing anything wrong," explained the Flotilla's spokeswoman for Italy, Maria Elena Delia, in a video posted on Facebook. "Why can't we sail in international waters? - asks Delia - What would happen if instead of our boats there were tourist boats being attacked by drones in a violent manner? The question of aid is very important, we are ready to consider mediation but not changing course. Because changing course means admitting that you allow a government to operate illegally without being able to do anything'.

"The boycott of Netanyahu's speech illustrates Israel's isolation and the consequences of its war of extermination" in the Gaza Strip, Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nounou said, commenting on the exit of several delegations from the hall during the Israeli PM's speech to the UN General Assembly.

Iran has stepped up construction of a mysterious underground site in the months since the US and Israeli bombings against its main nuclear facilities, suggesting that Tehran has not completely stopped work on its suspected weapons programme and may be in the process of carefully rebuilding it. This is revealed by an analysis of satellite images and independent assessments published exclusively by the Washington Post. The work in progress is at a site known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or 'Pigeon Mountain', where Iranian engineers have been digging tunnels deep into the Zagros mountain range since 2020 - about a mile south of the Natanz nuclear complex, the target of the US bombing on 22 June. The purpose of this site, according to Wp, remains unclear. International nuclear inspectors have never visited it, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEAA), said Tehran rejected his questions about the site earlier this year. Analysts who have been monitoring its construction estimate that the underground rooms may be even deeper - between 260 and 330 feet - than those at the Fordow facility, which the US has already hit with penetrating bombs. The surface area covers about one square mile of mountainous terrain, with two main entrances to the tunnels, to the east and west. Iran, when it announced the project in 2020, said it would house a facility for assembling centrifuges - high-speed machines used for uranium enrichment - replacing a facility destroyed that same year in what Tehran called an act of sabotage. According to the satellite analysis company Maxar, excavation work began in December 2020. However, the size and depth of the site have fuelled suspicions that it may have other purposes, such as a new secret enrichment facility or a secure storage facility for quasi-military enriched uranium. According to analysts, the construction under and over the mountain does not necessarily mean that Tehran is rushing to rebuild its nuclear programme to quickly get to a bomb.

"We know it is a risky situation, we have always said so, we want to prevent the situation from precipitating. It is no coincidence that there is a navy ship, not to do military operations but to do civil protection operations only, in case there are problems that may affect Italian citizens. We have also given our availability to provide services to non-Italian citizens as well,' he said. This was said by the deputy prime minister and leader of FI Antonio Tajani, arriving at 'Libertà', his party's party party in Telese Terme (Benevento), speaking about the situation of the Flotilla heading for Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in his speech to the UN that 'the truth is upside down'. "Hamas calls for the extermination of all Jews while Israel does everything to save civilians from danger, and Israel is blamed. What a joke. Israel is accused of deliberately starving the inhabitants of Gaza, when it has brought more than two million tonnes of food and aid, almost 3,000 calories per person per day. What hunger?" the Israeli leader said during his speech.

"The Palestinians do not believe in a two-state solution". This was said by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the UN General Assembly, criticising the countries that announced the recognition of the Palestinian state. "This week many countries recognised a Palestinian state, and they did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on 7 October. About 90 per cent of the Palestinian population supported the massacre, they not only supported it but also celebrated it. They did so in many ways, both in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria, what you call the West Bank. And they also celebrated another horror in the past, 9/11,' Netanyahu accused.

G.i.t.a, i.e. Gaza International Transitional Authority, a transitional authority ready to apply for a UN mandate to be for five years "the highest political and legal authority" over what will remain of the Gaza Strip at the end of the war, modelled on other transitional bodies with which the UN in past decades administered East Timor and Kosovo, before they became formally independent. Thus the Economist reveals more details about the transitional body at the head of which Donald Trump intends to appoint Tony Blair to manage the post-war period in Gaza, as the Israeli press revealed yesterday. "While Western countries are lining up to recognise Palestine at the UN, behind the scenes they are squabbling over who is to take control of Gaza," writes the British weekly, pointing out that while many have presented plans, documents and proposals in recent months, "perhaps the most fierce is the former British premier. And his plan can count on 'powerful supporters, from Gulf leaders to Jared Kushner, the American president's son-in-law'. "But perhaps most importantly, unlike other plans, it seems to have Donald Trump's blessing," he adds, recalling the 27 August White House meeting between Blair, Kushner and Steve Witkoff, at which Ron Dermer, Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, connected by phone. And the fact that Trump pitched the idea to Arab leaders meeting at the Glass Palace last Tuesday, saying 'maybe we can end the war in Gaza, right now'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described genocide as a 'false accusation' during his address to the UN Assembly today. Referring to the accusations made against Tel Aviv, the Israeli leader stated that "the Nazis did not ask the Jews to leave their places" before killing them, while the Israeli government warns Gaza civilians before carrying out its raids against Hamas, Netanyahu said. "Now I would like to ask you a simple question, a simple and logical question," Netanyahu said. "Would a country that commits genocide beg the civilian population it is supposedly targeting to get out of the way?" the Israeli leader asked the House.

According to US President Donald Trump the deal on Gaza is close and the Israeli hostages held by Hamas could soon be freed. Trump made these statements to reporters before leaving the White House to attend the Ryder Cup golf tournament in New York.

Benjamin Netanyahu, in his speech at the UN, announced that the IDF had taken control of the phones of Gaza residents and Hamas activists and that his speech is now being broadcast live via those devices. This was announced by the Israeli prime minister's office. The prime minister - it is added - addresses the residents of Gaza and makes it clear that the war can end immediately with the return of all hostages, the military dismantling of Hamas and the demilitarisation of the Strip. "Those who do this will live, those who do not will be persecuted," he warned.

"I ask you a simple and logical question: What country committing genocide would beg the civilians it is allegedly targeting to get out of the way? We are trying to get them out and Hamas is trying to keep them inside" the Gaza Strip. This was stated by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in his address to the UN General Assembly. "For Israel, every civilian casualty is a tragedy, for Hamas it is a strategy," Netanyahu continued, stating that "Hamas uses civilians as human shields". The prime minister then explained that Israel is doing "everything possible" to minimise civilian casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused many world leaders of 'caving in' to Hamas 'when things started to get tough' for Israel. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, the PM said he was facing a seven-front war with little help: "You condemn us, you embargo us and threaten political and legal battles against us.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the UN General Assembly, stressed that the ongoing conflict in Gaza "affects everyone". The leader invited those present to take a "pop quiz", answering questions by a show of hands on signs he displayed. "Who shouts 'dead to America'? A. Iran; B. Hamas; C. Hezbollah; D. The Houthis; E. All Answers. The correct answer is 'E. All Answers'". "Second question. Who killed Americans and Europeans in cold blood? A. Al Qaeda; B. Hamas; C. Hezbollah; D. Iran; E. All answers. The correct answer is still E,' he explained.

Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech at the UN wears a jacket on which is attached a qr code that directs to the 'atrocities website' with documentation of the 7 October Hamas attack. Netanyahu said that 'the last components of Hamas are in Gaza City and have vowed to repeat the atrocities of 7 October again and again, no matter how much their forces have been damaged'. Therefore, 'this is why Israel must finish the job and do it as quickly as possible. Many in the world do not remember 7 October, but we remember. Israel remembers."

Il primo ministro israeliano Benjamin Netanyahu si rivolge ai leader mondiali durante l'Assemblea generale delle Nazioni Unite (UNGA) presso la sede delle Nazioni Unite il 26 settembre 2025 a New York. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Foto di Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

(Booing and applause for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before his speech at the UN General Assembly. The president of the assembly had to call the hall to order several times as some delegations walked out in protest.

(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at the UN General Assembly addressed Hamas directly about the hostages still being held in Gaza. Recalling that he had screens put up in the Strip, he said: 'Release the hostages, and lay down your weapons. If you do you will live, if you don't Israel will hunt you down'.

"It is still not over. What's left of Hamas is still entrenched in Gaza and they have vowed to perpetrate atrocities again like on 7 October again and again, so Israel must finish the job and we must do it as quickly as possible." This was said by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the UN General Assembly.

"Last year from this podium I showed this terror map of Iran, which is rapidly developing a nuclear and ballistic missile programme. These not only threaten to destroy Israel but also endanger the US." This was said by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the beginning of his speech to the UN General Assembly. He then recalled Israel's successes against Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, Syria, and Hamas leaders in Gaza.

Contrary to the statement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the loudspeakers from which the PM's speech to the UN, apparently addressed to the citizens of Gaza, will be broadcast, were placed inside the Gaza Strip and not only on the Israeli side of the border. According to soldiers' testimonies and video footage, the loudspeakers were mounted on trucks and cranes and transported to Gaza. Some loudspeakers were taken to military positions, including those located several kilometres away in the Strip. One reservist, quoted by i24 News, said he was woken up in the morning for a mission to escort trucks with loudspeakers: 'We didn't know the real reason, they just told us it was to move the population. They asked for it to be as close to the civilians as possible'. It is unclear whether any Gaza residents will actually be able to hear Netanyahu's speech at the UN.

"I want to address a profound thank you to President Sergio Mattarella for the words he used with regard to the Flotilla. Words that underline the importance of the mission, unlike those who, like Prime Minister Meloni, spoke of irresponsibility. In Gaza there is an entire population in famine, which is suffering genocide and ethnic cleansing by an Israeli government that does not deliver aid. It is crucial that we demand and lobby for the opening of permanent humanitarian corridors". Thus Avs MEP Benedetta Scuderi from the Global Sumud Flotilla. "We ask President Mattarella to support the request to open humanitarian corridors under UN control," she adds.

Strengthen EU support for Palestine through "a full association agreement" that goes beyond the partial one signed with the PNA (Palestinian National Authority) since 1997. This is the proposal launched in an editorial-appeal published today in the British Guardian by Italian PD leader Eli Schlein together with four other European progressives: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Swedes Stefan Lofven and Magdalena Andersson and Dutchman Frans Timmermans.

"The applause resounded at the UN General Assembly after the approval of the so-called New York Declaration on the revival of the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine" offers "a rare glimmer of hope in one of the most devastating crises of our time," the five begin, urging the EU and the international community, however, to do more to halt the Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip, starting with the renewed call for sanctions against the government of Benyamin Netanyahu. But above all to support the Palestinian Authority more. "Further recognition (of the Palestinian state) by European states would only strengthen this momentum, sending a clear and unambiguous message that the Union remains committed to the two-state solution," the signatories stress. But this is not enough.

At least 47 Palestinians have died since dawn in the Gaza Strip, with 28 deaths in Gaza City alone. Satellite TV al-Jazeera reports the new toll, citing sources from hospitals in the Palestinian enclave where Israeli military operations carried out in response to the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel continue.

"This is not a spontaneous initiative of a few activists, but a large-scale operation, well organised and well financed by Hamas and other radical Islamic organisations". Israel's ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, commenting on the latest developments in the Global Sumud Flotilla's journey to Gaza, told Adnkronos. "I am not saying that everyone on board is Hamas," Peled clarified, "Many of these young activists are, at worst, uninformed and unaware of what is happening.

"We cannot accept this proposal because it comes to prevent our boats from sailing in international waters with the risk of being attacked". Thus the spokeswoman for Italy of the Global Sumud Flotilla, regarding President Sergio Mattarella's appeal to accept the mediation proposal offered by the Patriarchate. 'The question of aid is very important,' she emphasises, 'We are ready to consider mediations, but not changing course because it means admitting that you are letting a government operate illegally without being able to do anything.

At least 29 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since dawn, hospital sources told al-Jazeera. Eleven of the victims, including two children, were killed at a humanitarian aid distribution site in central Gaza, while at least two others were killed when Israeli forces struck a house in the Remal neighbourhood of Gaza City without warning.

A new flotilla is preparing to set sail from Catania to Gaza. It is the one organised by the Thousand Madleens to Gaza & Freedom Flotilla Coalition, made known through the Usb union, with the announcement that it will set sail tomorrow 27th at 5pm, from the small port of San Giovanni Li Cuti. The fleet, they explain in a note, will leave to 'challenge the illegal blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza and expose the systems that make its war crimes possible' and that 'the mobilisation of citizens is necessary because of the inaction of our governments'. The departure will be preceded by a press conference at 2.30 p.m.

"We are ready to go on general strike if the Flotilla mission is blocked, if the ships are seized, if there is a new attack, because for us the goal must be to stop the invasion and the Netanyahu government, recognise the Palestinian state, get aid to Gaza and prevent the genocide that is going on". This was said by the general secretary of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini, on the sidelines of a meeting at Confcommercio, adding that he also considers "the attitude of the Italian government serious". Tonight, he says, there will be another meeting with the general secretaries of the categories and regional ones "we do a lot of them, it is to reason, monitor and face the situation on these points as on others".

"The value of human life, which seems to have lost all meaning in Gaza, where it is severely trampled upon with inhuman suffering for the population, requires that we avoid putting the safety of any person at risk. To this end and in order to safeguard the value of the initiative taken - a value that has been expressed with great resonance and significance - it appears necessary to preserve the objective of getting the aid collected to the suffering population. I would like to make a particularly strong appeal to the women and men of the Flotilla to take up the willingness offered by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem - which is also firmly and courageously committed to being close to the people of Gaza - to carry out the task of safely delivering what solidarity has destined for the children, women and men of Gaza". This is the text of the appeal signed by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and addressed to the women and men of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

For Gaza and the Flotilla, 'permanent mobilisation towards the national demonstration on 4 October in Rome' for Palestine As announced in the past few days, the basic trade union, together with the Global Movement for Gaza, the Italian Palestinian Students' Movement, the Udap, 'the association of Palestinians in Italy and the Palestinian community in Italy, proclaims a permanent state of agitation and the occupation of one hundred squares for Gaza'. It is announced on the website of the grassroots union after the announcement of the past few days. "Starting from Friday, 26 September, we will set up permanent encampments in every city in large squares. In Rome Piazza dei Cinquecento, from where the general strike started. In Genoa near pass 3, where aid was collected,' the union confirms.

Twenty-four people have been killed since dawn today in the Gaza Strip by gunfire and shelling by the Israeli army. This was reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFa, citing medical sources.

WAFa also reported that ten people were killed by Israeli gunfire while searching for humanitarian aid near the Netzarim corridor in the centre of the territory. Among the victims were two children. Eighteen people were injured.

The Italian Navy's frigate Alpino took over from the frigate Fasan last night, also keeping in close proximity to the Global Sumud Flotilla. The Fasan is reported to have departed to do logistical work instead.

The Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation warning for Palestinians living near a building in Gaza City ahead of an airstrike. "The IDF will soon strike the building due to the presence of Hamas terrorist infrastructure in or near it," said Arabic-language military spokesman Avichay Adraee.

The office of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to install loudspeakers throughout the Gaza Strip so that the inhabitants of the Palestinian enclave can listen to the speech he will deliver today at the UN General Assembly. According to broadcaster Channel 12, the army has spoken out against this order because it would require soldiers to leave their posts and enter areas of the Strip where they would be exposed to the risk of being targeted by Hamas. According to the Haaretz newspaper website, however, the army will not oppose the prime minister's request and is preparing to broadcast Netanyahu's speech throughout Gaza. A military official told Haaretz that the decision is an act of 'psychological warfare'. Netanyahu's speech at the UN is scheduled for when it is 3pm in Italy and, according to the Times of Israel, is expected to focus on criticism of the recent announcements on the recognition of the Palestinian state by several Western countries, including France and the UK.

"We must say thank you to those who had the courage to leave even though they knew they would be threatened, that it would be a challenge they would pay with their bodies". This is how Father Alex Zanotelli comments on the attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla. "What is happening in Gaza, says the missionary, is a double suicide, of Israel and the West, when I think of the children I cry". On Saturday 11 October, the Pope announced yesterday, there will be another prayer for peace at St Peter's.

One of the main boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) will not be able to continue its crossing to Gaza due to a mechanical problem. "While we are ready to depart Crete for the final part of the crossing to Gaza, the flotilla faced a major setback when the Family, one of the main vessels, experienced a mechanical failure," reads the flotilla's "mission update".

Nevertheless, a statement from the activists continues, the participants on board the Family 'remain determined and committed to the mission, and each of them has been relocated, bringing with them their navigational, communication and diplomatic coordination skills to the new boats - large and small - that will take them to the shores of Gaza. The operational centre of the flotilla remains intact'.

From Cyprus "Patriarch Pizzaballa has the possibility of activating an organisation to distribute all" the material transported by the Flotilla "to the population. And no one knows the complexity of that territory better than he does. Other solutions do not seem feasible. Not Israel, of course. And not Lebanon, where docking is possible but then there is no way to transport everything to Gaza'. Thus in an interview with Repubblica, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI).

"In Gaza," he claims, "you don't dock. I mean technically. It would be complicated under let's say normal conditions, let alone now having to bring in food and basic necessities. There would be chaos. So I'm working on the logistics, to make sure that this aid arrives. Because there is a great need for it.

The Israeli Air Force has hit "over 140 targets" in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours. This was announced by the Israeli Security Forces (IDF), as Israeli media reported, as military operations against 'terrorist groups' in the Palestinian enclave continue in the wake of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the UN General Assembly in the coming hours.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would like a role in the management of Gaza after the war as part of US President Donald Trump's peace plan. This was claimed by the Financial Times. Blair discussed the post-war management of Gaza with Trump, who presented new proposals for a ceasefire this week. The Trump proposal envisages the establishment of a Palestinian committee to administer the Strip, overseen by an international oversight body. One of the members of this body is expected to be Blair. Another source heard by the FT said that the former head of government in London would be given the chairmanship of the Gaza Transitional International Authority.

European and Arab countries are against the idea of such a body because they believe it would marginalise the Palestinians and lack legitimacy in the eyes of the Gazawis.

Ten Palestinians were killed last night in heavy Israeli air strikes on neighbourhoods in Gaza City. This was reported by Wafa. According to the Palestinian news agency, six people were killed and others wounded when an Israeli attack targeted a group of residents near the Patient's Friends Hospital in the al-Remal neighbourhood, west of the city. Another four Palestinians were killed in attacks on al-Shati refugee camp, also in western Gaza City. Air raids continued throughout the night, with heavy shelling reported in several neighbourhoods of Gaza City. According to Wafa at the moment the death toll in the Strip since October 2023 is 65,600 people, mostly children and women, and almost 168,000 wounded. A budget described as "incomplete, as many victims remain trapped under rubble, inaccessible to ambulances and rescuers".

An attempt to force the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza is "totally inadvisable" and Italy will do "everything not to put the lives of the militants" of the Global Sumud Flotilla at risk, as well as Italian soldiers. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this in an interview published today by Corriere della Sera.

"The situation in Gaza is much more dangerous than it may appear: forcing Israel's naval blockade, entering Gaza waters is totally inadvisable. We must do everything not to put at risk the lives of the Flotilla militants but, allow me, also of our military who are there to do a civil protection action, not to fight," said the head of Italian diplomacy.

Further reading

Aid to Gaza, Flotilla rejects mediation: what can happen now

25 September 2025