During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected international accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. He characterized the ongoing military operations as a necessary response to the October 7 attacks and emphasized Israel's right to self-defense. Throughout the speech, Netanyahu also addressed the situation in the West Bank, where he downplayed concerns regarding violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The address was marked by significant diplomatic friction, as numerous delegates staged a walkout while Netanyahu took the podium. This act of protest underscored the deep international divisions regarding the conflict. While Netanyahu focused his remarks on the security threats facing Israel and the necessity of neutralizing Hamas, critics and the departing delegations signaled their opposition to the humanitarian toll of the war and the expansion of settlement activity. The event highlighted the ongoing tension between Israel's stated security objectives and the growing global pressure for a ceasefire and a change in policy regarding the Palestinian territories.