By Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, vowing to continue military operations against Hezbollah until Israel achieves its objectives along the Lebanon border. His address further diminished hopes for an internationally backed ceasefire and raised concerns about a potential escalation into a wider regional conflict.
Netanyahu, facing leadership challenges amid conflicts on two fronts, declared that Israel would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from Lebanon. “Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing … we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” he stated, drawing apparent support from a gallery that seemed filled with his backers.
The Israeli leader drew comparisons to hypothetical scenarios in the United States, asking, “Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns … How long would the American government tolerate that?” He emphasized, “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.”
Shortly after Netanyahu’s speech, the Israeli military reported carrying out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, resulting in massive explosions in the city. This action underscored the immediacy of Netanyahu’s words and the ongoing tensions in the region.
During his address, Netanyahu defended Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which triggered an Israeli military operation in Gaza. He insisted that Israel sought peace but warned Iran, “If you strike us, we will strike you,” blaming the country for many of the region’s problems.
Netanyahu’s speech was met with mixed reactions. While his supporters cheered, the Iranian delegation’s seats remained empty, and protesters demonstrated outside against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies. Following the Israeli leader’s address, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa appealed to the UN Security Council to “hold Israel accountable,” questioning when the council would “activate your tools” to end the war.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences, with over 41,500 Palestinians killed and more than 96,000 wounded in Gaza, according to the latest figures from the Health Ministry. Netanyahu claimed that Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces, but insisted that Israel was still pursuing peace.
As tensions escalate, the United States, France, and other allies have called for an “immediate” 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations. However, Netanyahu’s speech and subsequent military actions suggest that Israel remains committed to its current course of action, raising concerns about the potential for further regional destabilization.
The Prime Minister’s UN address not only defended Israel’s actions but also sought to shape the narrative around the ongoing conflicts, setting the stage for continued military operations and potential diplomatic challenges in the coming weeks and months.
