Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York during its 80th session, September 26.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The Israeli leader addressed the 80th General Assembly as his country’s military campaign intensified in Gaza City and northern Gaza.
Netanyahu vowed to “finish the job” of eliminating Hamas and accused international critics of bowing to “biased media and antisemitic mobs.”
He denounced recognition of a Palestinian state by several nations, calling the move “insane.”
Netanyahu wore a QR code on his jacket linking to a website documenting atrocities from the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Delegates walk out during Netanyahu UN speech
The walkout left much of the UN hall empty as Netanyahu began speaking with visual aids and a map of Iran and its proxies.
Hamas described the walkout as evidence of Israel’s “isolation” on the world stage.
“The interruption of Netanyahu’s speech is one of the manifestations of Israel’s isolation,” Hamas adviser Taher Al-Nunu said in a statement.
Al-Nunu criticized Israel’s decision to broadcast the address over loudspeakers near Gaza, calling it an act of “sadism.”
Netanyahu UN speech draws global criticism
The leader of Israel’s opposition condemned the speech as full of “gimmicks,” while families of Israeli hostages said they felt ignored.
Hostage families protested outside the UN headquarters in New York, demanding an immediate deal for the release of the remaining captives.
Netanyahu read out names of 20 surviving hostages but made no new announcements on their release.
Protests outside United Nations
Multiple rallies unfolded across New York City as Netanyahu spoke at the UN General Assembly.
One demonstration in Times Square, organized by CODEPINK, drew large crowds chanting “Free, free Palestine.”
Another protest took place outside the News Corp. Building, led by UnXeptable, an Israeli-American grassroots movement demanding an end to the war.
Gaza crisis intensifies after Netanyahu UN speech
Palestinian residents described heavy strikes in Gaza City and northern Gaza overnight following the renewed Israeli offensive.
“It feels as if the war has started all over again,” said Sheikh Radwan resident Ismail Zayda.
Another resident, Asmaa Ziyad, said her family could no longer cope with constant bombardments.
“We hear nothing but bombing, gunfire, ambulance sirens, and cries of despair,” she told reporters.
The United Nations reported that more than 250,000 people had fled Gaza City in the past month.
Humanitarian strain in Gaza
Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending operations in Gaza City due to escalating risks to its staff and patients.
“We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces,” MSF emergency coordinator Jacob Granger said.
The group carried out more than 3,600 consultations last week, including treating over 1,600 people for malnutrition.
MSF said it would continue supporting hospitals including Al-Helou and Al-Shifa while they remained functional.
Trump pushes Gaza peace deal as Netanyahu rejects ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said negotiators were “very close” to reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement during discussions at the UN General Assembly.
A source familiar with a 21-point peace plan said it called for the release of all hostages within 48 hours of an agreement.
The plan proposed a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and barred Hamas from future governance roles.
Arab leaders reportedly supported the proposal in principle, though some sought stronger guarantees for Palestinian civilians.
Netanyahu dismissed any suggestion of halting the war, declaring Israel would continue until Hamas was destroyed.
World leaders respond
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin urged Israel’s backers to “reflect carefully” on their support for the military campaign.
Martin said, “There cannot be business as usual in the face of genocide.”
Israel has strongly denied accusations of genocide made in recent UN reports.
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Martin added that Hamas bore responsibility for the October 7 attacks but insisted that no crime could justify genocide.
Netanyahu rejected calls for a two-state solution, saying Israel “will not allow a terror state to be shoved down our throats.”
