Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon in a speech closely watched by the United Nations (UN), as hopes faded for a ceasefire that could avert an all-out regional war.
“As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to eliminate this threat and return our citizens to their homes safely,” Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly on Friday, now local, referring to the escalation of violence between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel.
“Israel has tolerated this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I came here today to say enough,” he said.
Several delegations left as Netanyahu approached the lectern while supporters in the stands cheered.
Southern Lebanon, Israel while UN diplomats have expressed fears that the attacks could lead to a wider war involving Iran.
Hezbollah is seen as a representative of Iran,
In his speech, Netanyahu sought to place blame for the conflict on Iran, whose delegation was absent from the speech. He said Israel was defending itself from Tehran on seven fronts, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
“There is no place in Iran that Israel’s long arm cannot reach. And this applies to the entire Middle East. Far from being lambs led to the slaughter, Israeli soldiers reacted with incredible courage,” Netanyahu said .
“I have another message for this House and for the world outside this room: We are winning,” he said.
Iran’s UN delegation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel will continue discussions on ceasefire proposals for Lebanon in the coming days, Netanyahu said on Friday, and the United States warned that further escalation would make it harder for civilians on both sides to return home.
But Netanyahu insisted that the Israeli campaign would continue.
“We will continue to degrade Hezbollah until all our objectives are achieved,” he told the UN assembly.
The Israeli prime minister also called for tougher action on Iran’s nuclear program, including the return of United Nations sanctions that were lifted in 2015 under a nuclear deal with major world powers.
A Security Council resolution that enshrined the nuclear deal and gave it the power to reinstate U.N. sanctions expires in October 2025.
Netanyahu reiterated his previous promises that Israel would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“Iran now seeks to weaponize its nuclear program for the sake of the peace and security of all your countries, and I assure you that Israel will do everything in its power to ensure that this does not happen,” he said. said.
On the war in Gaza, where US-led ceasefire talks have stalled, Netanyahu said the war can end if the Hamas militants who carried out the October 7 attack in Israel surrender, they lay down their weapons and return the hostages seized in the attack.
“We will fight until we achieve victory, total victory, there is nothing that can replace it,” he said.
During the speech he mentioned the presence in the family room of the hostages seized by Hamas.
Israel began shelling Gaza following Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and returning around 250 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli counts.
Since then, according to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli army has razed swathes of the besieged Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, causing starvation and deadly disease and killing more than 41,000 people .
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the speech.
“Netanyahu’s speech is full of lies and contradictions, and the withdrawal of many delegations from the chamber is a message that Netanyahu’s lies are no longer believed by anyone,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
“Netanyahu’s call for Hamas to surrender is nonsense; surrender is not in the movement’s vocabulary, and the problem lies with the existence of the occupation, not with those who defend themselves.”
The two General Assembly speakers before Netanyahu banged on the lectern as they spoke.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob demanded: “Mr. Netanyahu, stop this war now.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “We must act now and demand an immediate end to this bloodshed.”
