CPC Update September 14, 2025; Israeli Evacuation Order in Gaza City, Palestinian Attack in East Jerusalem, Israeli Strike on Qatar, UN General Assembly Vote on Two-State Solution Resolution

This week was defined by yet another escalation of Israel’s brutal campaign in Gaza City, a Palestinian terror attack against Israelis in Jerusalem, an Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Qatar, and an overwhelming endorsement by the UN General Assembly of the New York Declaration, a resolution supporting the two-state solution.

On Monday, two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in East Jerusalem, killing six Israelis. Footage shows a crowd of civilians running from the bus stop as shots can be heard in the background. According to Israeli police, the attackers were shot dead on the scene by an Israeli soldier and an armed civilian. Over 20 civilians were left injured, including six in critical condition due to gunshot wounds. The Palestinian gunmen were reportedly from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which has experienced rising Israeli settler and soldier violence in the last near two years.

Meanwhile, Tuesday saw another escalation in Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza City. Israel ordered a full evacuation of Gaza City, home to around one million Palestinians, urging them to travel south to Gaza’s al-Mawasi area. Israel plans to occupy the city, a move that it has defended against widespread international — and also domestic — condemnation. “This is only the beginning,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the evacuation warning was issued.

This week, Israel has intensified its aerial bombardments over Gaza City, striking down high-rises and destroying entire apartment blocks. Gazans are exhausted after over 23 months of killing, displacement and starvation, but an end to the war is nowhere in sight.

Talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire deal have fallen apart. Just on Wednesday, Israel carried out an attack against Hamas officials in Qatar, killing five members of Hamas and also a Qatari security official. The Hamas officials targeted in the strike were part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The international community quickly condemned the Israeli strike. Even President Trump expressed disapproval, saying, “I’m not thrilled.” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that Israel’s attack “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” The strike — along with Israel’s intensifying campaign in Gaza — indicates a lack of respect for ceasefire negotiations and disinterest in ending the war among the Israeli government. The government’s actions have not only drawn international condemnation but the ire of many Israelis themselves, who are also tired of war and desperately await the release of the hostage.

Lastly, on Friday, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favor of the New York Declaration, which calls for the end of the war, release of the hostages, revival of peace talks, and the two-state solution. The declaration originated at a UN conference in July hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. The vote was 142–10, with the US and Israel being two of the 10 countries who voted against the resolution. Just before the vote, Netanyahu asserted, “There will be no Palestinian state.”

Like so many others, this week has ended on a negative note, with never-ending chaos and violence.