New York, NY – Amid the circulation of President Donald Trump’s latest peace proposal at the United Nations, Israel conducted extensive strikes in Yemen, targeting areas over 2,000 kilometers away, which highlights the persistent instability in the Middle East despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in New York.
This week, Trump introduced a 21-point strategy aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict in meetings with Arab dignitaries held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.
A senior White House official, conversing off the record, conveyed to Fox News Digital, “The President emphasized his intent to hasten the resolution of the Gaza hostilities. Special envoy Witkoff outlined the U.S. strategy for Gaza, which includes securing the return of all captives, both living and dead, halting further aggression on Qatar, and initiating new conversations between Israel and Palestinians to foster peaceful coexistence, among other measures.
“International allies broadly agreed that only President Trump had the influence to end the Gaza conflict and voiced aspirations to collaborate with Special Envoy Witkoff in evaluating the President’s plan as Americans continue discussions with Israeli representatives,” the White House official explained.
Arab representatives informed Fox News Digital that during the discussions, leaders urged Trump to commit to preventing Israeli annexation of West Bank territories, describing the conversations as “constructive.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2024, at the U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking in a recorded UNGA address after being barred from entry to the U.S., also signaled support.
“We declare that we are ready to work with U.S. President Donald Trump and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, the United Nations and all partners to implement the peace plan that was approved in the conference that was held on the 22nd of September, in a way that would lead towards a just peace and regional cooperation,” Abbas said.
Abbas added that the PA is prepared to take over security and governance in Gaza, while Hamas must disarm.
“The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies as a symbol of dignity, steadfastness and being free from the yoke of occupation,” he said. “Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before departing for New York, where he is scheduled to address the UNGA Friday, said without directly commenting on the 21-point proposal, “In Washington, I will meet for the fourth time with President Trump, and I will discuss with him the great opportunities our victories have brought, as well as our need to complete the war’s objectives: to return all of our hostages, to defeat Hamas and to expand the circle of peace that has come our way following the historic victory.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his corruption trial at the district court in Tel Aviv March 12, 2025. (Yair Sagi/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Even as Trump pushed diplomacy in New York, Israel expanded its campaign against Iran-backed militias. The IDF confirmed Thursday it carried out a wide wave of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Sana’a, Yemen, less than 24 hours after a Houthi drone slammed into a hotel in Eilat, wounding 24 people, two of them seriously.
Saudi and Israeli media reported more than 10 strikes during the Houthis’ weekly address, targeting command centers, intelligence headquarters and military compounds. Israeli officials estimate over 50 militants were killed. The IDF said the operation involved dozens of aircraft and long-range refueling, marking Israel’s 15th strike in Yemen since the war began.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the raids, carried out under the code name Package Delivered, dealt a heavy blow.
“We struck numerous terror targets of the Houthi regime in Sana’a, eliminating dozens of operatives and destroying stockpiles of drones and weapons,” Katz declared. “As I promised yesterday — those who harm us will be harmed sevenfold.”
