The U.S. government has revoked visas for several officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. This decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also includes the denial of new visa applications for Palestinian officials.

The State Department's announcement comes as tensions rise in the region, particularly following the Israeli military's designation of Gaza's largest city as a combat zone. The U.S. has previously implemented various visa restrictions targeting Palestinian representatives. Additionally, the State Department suspended a program that allowed injured Palestinian children from Gaza to receive medical treatment in the U.S. This suspension followed a backlash from some conservative groups on social media.

While the State Department did not disclose the exact number of visas revoked or applications denied, it did clarify that representatives of the Palestinian Authority at the U.N. would receive waivers under the U.S. host country agreement, allowing them to continue their operations in New York.

In its statement, the State Department emphasized the need to hold the PLO and PA accountable for their commitments and actions that undermine peace efforts. "Before the PLO and PA can be considered partners for peace, they must consistently repudiate terrorism — including the October 7 massacre — and end incitement to terrorism in education, as required by U.S. law and as promised by the PLO," the statement read.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., expressed his surprise at the decision and stated that he was evaluating its implications. "We will see exactly what it means and how it applies to any of our delegation, and we will respond accordingly," he said. Mansour confirmed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to lead the delegation at the U.N. meetings and address the General Assembly, as he has done in previous years.

Abbas is also anticipated to participate in a high-level meeting on September 22, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, focusing on a two-state solution that envisions Israel coexisting with an independent Palestine.

The U.S. has been vocal about its support for Israel, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Trump administration has consistently backed Israel's military actions and has refrained from condemning the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which many international observers argue hinder the prospects for a two-state solution.

As the U.N. General Assembly approaches, several countries, including Canada, Britain, Australia, and France, have indicated their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, contingent upon reforms and new elections within the Palestinian Authority.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the future of peace in the region and the role of the Palestinian leadership in those efforts.