Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly
(Video: UN WEB TV)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, defending Israel’s right to security and its fight against terrorism amid growing criticism over his handling of the nearly year-long war against Hamas in Gaza and escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Facing mounting pressure at home and abroad, Netanyahu asserted that Israel is “winning" the war in Gaza and reiterated that “Hamas must go.” He emphasized Israel’s goal of achieving a “demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza,” and warned that Hamas can either “end the war” or face continued fighting “until total victory.”
Netanyahu also addressed the situation with Hezbollah, saying that the terrorist group had “attacked Israel unprovoked" on October 8, displacing more than 60,000 Israelis and "turning vibrant towns into ghost towns.”
He accused Hezbollah of endangering its own people by “putting a missile in every kitchen, a rocket in every garage.” He vowed that Israel would “continue to degrade Hezbollah until all our objectives are met.”
Turning to the broader regional threat, Netanyahu declared, “There’s no place in Iran our arms can’t reach,” and accused Tehran of seeking to “destroy our way of life.” He highlighted the potential for peace with Saudi Arabia as a “boon to the Middle East,” but warned that Iran is a persistent threat to regional stability.
The prime minister also addressed concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza, saying, “No army has done what Israel is doing to minimize civilian casualties.” He reiterated that Israel’s primary objective remains the safety of its citizens, even as it faces international scrutiny over the humanitarian impact of its military actions.
Netanyahu did not shy away from criticizing the Palestinian Authority, accusing it of waging “diplomatic terror on Israel.” He urged the international community to recognize the complexities of the conflict and the necessity of Israel’s actions to protect itself.