Eighteen members of the U.S. Congress have stated that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, with Texas Representative Veronica Escobar asserting, "As a member of Congress, I have a responsibility to name and speak against what is happening: this is genocide." This declaration was reported on September 17th, 2025, within the reporting window ending at 4:48 PM UTC. This statement comes as Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza City. Previous reports indicated Israeli forces were operating in the heart of Gaza City, with advances into neighborhoods like Rimal and along Al-Rashid Road occurring between 4:01 AM UTC and 4:46 AM UTC on September 17th, 2025. These operations have reportedly caused connectivity disruptions in Gaza's northern sector, impacting approximately 400,000 displaced Palestinians. Activist Hamza Al-Masri previously reported on September 17th, 2025, that Israeli forces targeted a group of civilians during their displacement near Al-Shifa Hospital, west of Gaza City, resulting in 13 fatalities. Footage shared by Al-Masri also depicted destruction in Hamad Residential City in Khan Yunis and scenes from the northern Gaza Strip during the period of September 17th, 2025, 3:34 PM UTC to 4:03 PM UTC. Earlier on September 17th, Israeli military vehicles were reported to be advancing towards remaining shelter centers in northern Gaza and firing at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Separately, Israeli occupation forces reportedly demolished structures in Khillet al-Dabaa in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron. In parallel diplomatic news, Fiji officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on September 17th, 2025, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance.
