‘Israel waging war of genocide in Gaza’ – Palestinian leader

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of waging “a war of genocide”, angering the United States and “offending” Israel, Al Jazeera reports.

The latest war in Gaza in July and August - the third war in the Gaza Strip in six years - killed 2,140 Palestinians, mostly civilians.

“We will not forget and we will not forgive, and we will not allow war criminals to escape punishment,” Abbas said in a speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday.

Al Jazeera reported that the address angered the United States, which slammed it as "offensive," while Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman accused Abbas of waging "diplomatic terrorism" and making "false accusations".

"Israel has chosen to make it a year of a new war of genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people," Abbas said.

The war in Gaza was "a series of absolute war crimes carried out before the eyes and ears of the entire world," he said, citing the destruction left behind and the deaths of more than 460 children.

The Palestinians have threatened to join the Hague-based International Criminal Court to allow legal action to be taken against Israel.

The US State Department reacted with a tersely worded statement, saying the speech would undermine peace efforts.

"President Abbas' speech today included offensive characterisations that were deeply disappointing and which we reject," said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

"Such provocative statements are counterproductive and undermine efforts to create a positive atmosphere and restore trust between the parties," she said