ISRAELI air attacks intensified in Gaza City today while ground forces advanced in the south of the city, killing at least 29 Palestinians across the strip.

At least two medical workers were wounded when Israeli shelling destroyed the main medical centre in Gaza City, amid ongoing mass displacement and relentless attacks. 

The Palestinian Medical Relief Society reported that an Israeli strike reduced its six-storey building in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood to rubble. 

The centre provided blood donation and testing services, trauma care, cancer medicine and treatment for chronic diseases. 

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has repeatedly targeted hospitals. 

It came as Gaza’s Health Ministry warned that patients are facing “certain death” as hospitals in the besieged territory may have to close vital departments within “a few days” due to fuel shortages.

Meanwhile, world leaders gathered in New York City for the annual United Nations general assembly, where Israel’s war on Gaza dominated discussions. 

Addressing the assembly’s 80th session, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said: “In Gaza, the horrors are approaching a third monstrous year. They are the result of decisions that defy basic humanity. 

“The scale of death and destruction are beyond any other conflict in my years as secretary-general.”

He also referenced the International Court of Justice, which has issued orders calling on Israel to prevent genocide, allow investigations, and increase humanitarian aid.

“We know what is needed: Permanent ceasefire now,” Mr Guterres said. 

“All the hostages released now. Full humanitarian access now. 

“And we must not relent in the only viable answer to sustainable Middle East peace: a two-state solution.”

The leaders of six countries, including France, have moved to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN meeting. 

But Palestinians have remained sceptical about whether such announcements will bring change.

Huda Masawabi, displaced from Gaza City, described the recognitions as “worthless” as she joined a long line of people fleeing south.

“We just hope to God that someone outside would acknowledge us or even deal with us as mere human beings,” she said.

Murad Banat, displaced from the Bureij camp, said the announcements were “just talk,” saying: “Everyone is watching us like a play. Like a TV series, every day a TV series.”

Nur al-Din Mansour, from Jenin and one of tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians displaced from their homes since Israel launched a major operation across four northern camps early this year, said recognition was a “step in the right direction.”

“But what we want is not just a symbolic or nominal state,” he said. 

“We want a fully sovereign state that preserves its borders. We demand a Palestinian state based on the borders of June 5 1967.”

Former UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said the recognition of Palestinian statehood by several countries within UN premises was important but stressed that further action is required.

“The huge majority of member states of the United Nations supported this long-delayed but necessary recognition of the Palestinian state, but now the hard work starts,” he told Al Jazeera.

“We will be watching very carefully if those governments and the General Assembly move to action instead of these words — and that will be a test to the UN’s credibility.

“The UN has as its primary funding purpose ensuring peace and security — now [that] the UN security council is not doing that, it’s moral for the UN general assembly.”

US President Donald Trump told the UN assembly yesterday that he had been “deeply engaged” in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza.

“We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to stop it,” the top Israel ally said. 

“We have to get it done. We have to negotiate peace. We have to get the hostages back. We want all 20 back.”

Mr Trump also said that Hamas “has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace,” a claim rejected by the Palestinian group, which said Israel blocked a ceasefire agreement.

He also repeated his claim that the recognition of a Palestinian state was a “reward” for Hamas.

Mr Trump is due to hold a multilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia, and Pakistan, with US media reporting he will present a proposal for peace and post-war governance in Gaza.

Elsewhere, Spain’s government approved a “total” arms embargo on Israel.

Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the decree prohibits all exports of defence material and dual-use products or technologies to Israel and imports of such equipment from Israel. 

It also blocks requests for aircraft fuel with potential military use and bans imports of products originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. 

The decree will come into effect immediately, but must later be approved by parliament.

Since October 7 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 65,382 Palestinians and injured 166,985, with thousands believed buried under rubble.

A growing number of experts, including those commissioned by the UN, have said Israel’s offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide.