In a bold address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel aims to “complete the mission” in its ongoing conflict with Hamas and emphasized the necessity of securing the release of all hostages still held in Gaza.
Netanyahu stated, “The last remnants of Hamas are entrenched in Gaza City. They threaten to repeat the horrific events of October 7 continuously, despite their weakened forces,” boldly addressing the audience even as a significant number of delegates walked out prior to his speech.
“That is why Israel must complete this task; we want to do it swiftly,” he added.
In his speech, Netanyahu also stressed the need for a decisive defeat of Iran and its “terror axis” affiliates in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, while taking pride in Israel’s success against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Recall the beepers?” he referred to Israel’s impactful operation in September 2024, where explosives were concealed in pagers held by Hezbollah terrorists. “We paged Hezbollah. They clearly received our message, resulting in thousands of them collapsing.”
At 75, Netanyahu dismissed the notion of recognizing a Palestinian state, a step several U.S. allies have taken ahead of the General Assembly. “Allowing the Palestinians a state, just a mile from Jerusalem post-October 7, would be akin to granting al-Qaeda a state just a mile from New York City after September 11,” he argued.
He expressed, “This is sheer madness, it’s insanity, and we will not proceed with it. We refuse to commit national suicide because of the fears of those unwilling to confront a hostile media and antisemitic crowds seeking Israel’s destruction.”
Netanyahu later criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and others who have moved to formally recognize a Palestinian state, saying it sends a signal globally that “murdering Jews yields rewards” while granting Hamas “a free pass” on its genocidal intents.
“Israel faces allegations of deliberately starving Gaza’s populace, yet we have been diligently delivering aid to the area,” he asserted. “Since the onset of the conflict, Israel has brought over 2 million tons of food and resources into Gaza.”
“That equates to one ton of aid for every man, woman, and child in Gaza, offering nearly 3,000 calories per person each day,” he remarked. “Now that’s a starvation strategy!”
(An “average” man’s daily caloric intake recommendation ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 calories.)
Additionally, Netanyahu conveyed a message of hope to captives through loudspeakers strategically positioned throughout Gaza, broadcasting segments of his address.
“To our courageous heroes, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations,” he declared. “We have not neglected you, not even for a moment. The people of Israel stand with you. We will continue to strive until we bring you all home safely.”
Furthermore, he directed a message toward Palestinian civilians via hacked cellphones, stating:
“To the remaining Hamas leaders and the keepers of our hostages, I say, ‘Lay down your arms. Let my people go,’” paraphrasing Moses.
“Release the hostages, all 48 of them; let them go now. If you comply, you will live. If you don’t, we will pursue you relentlessly,” he warned.
As he delivered his speech, numerous anguished families of hostages taken by Hamas assembled in New York, expressing their frustrations towards Netanyahu and desperately urging him to bring an end to the conflict and secure the release of the remaining captives.
“There have been too many casualties among our people,” Orna Neutra, the mother of hostage Omer Neutra, stated outside the UN while holding a photograph of her son.
“It’s crucial that we conclude this war. We require action, not lengthy speeches. To all global leaders, we implore you to bring our hostages home, bring them back now. All of them.”
She further urged President Trump to fulfill his commitment to resolving the conflict and ensuring the captives’ safe return.
Around 70 members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum gathered on 47th Street, waving Israeli flags and holding yellow flowers as they chanted the names of the captives.
Some labeled Netanyahu a “cancer” endangering Israel, while others held him accountable for empowering Hamas and the October 7 terror attack on the nation.
“As we approach the Jewish high holidays, particularly Yom Kippur, it’s a time for reflection on our actions from the previous year and how we can improve,” Ruby, the father of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old dual Israeli-US hostage killed by Hamas on October 7, expressed.
“I sincerely hope that the Prime Minister recognizes he has a pressing obligation. This obligation is to secure the return of all 48 hostages, not a reduced number, but all of them. We want them back now, all of them.”
