Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s attacks on Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon in a closely watched United Nations speech on Friday (September 27) as hopes faded for a ceasefire that could head off an all-out regional war.
Several delegations walked out as Netanyahu approached the lectern while supporters in the gallery cheered.
In southern Lebanon, Israel continued to strike Hezbollah targets while diplomats at the U.N. voiced fears the attacks could flare into a wider war that draws in Israel’s arch-foe, Iran.
In his speech, Netanyahu sought to pin blame for the conflict on Iran, whose delegation was absent for the speech. He said Israel was defending itself against Tehran on seven fronts, including against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen.
Israel will press on with discussions on ceasefire proposals for Lebanon in the days ahead, Netanyahu said earlier on Friday, and Washington warned that further escalation would make it harder for civilians on both sides to return home.
But Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s campaign would continue.
The Israeli prime minister also called for tougher action on Iran’s nuclear program, including a return of U.N. sanctions which were lifted in 2015 under a nuclear deal with major world powers.
A Security Council resolution, which enshrined the nuclear deal and provided the power to restore U.N. sanctions, expires in October 2025.
Netanyahu reiterated his earlier vows that Israel would block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
On the conflict in Gaza, where U.S.-led ceasefire talks have stalled, Netanyahu said the war can end if Hamas militants who carried out an Oct. 7 attack in Israel surrender, lay down their weapons and return hostages seized in the attack.
During the speech, he cited the presence in the hall of families of hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7. The war began when Hamas gunmen stormed Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, Israel’s military has leveled swaths of the besieged Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the speech.
(Reuters)