Netanyahu Defends Gaza Strike as UN Delegates Walk Out

NEW YORK — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended a recent military operation in Gaza during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2026, after which delegations from more than 30 countries exited the chamber, officials said.

Speech and Walkout

Netanyahu addressed the assembly at 10:15 a.m. local time, asserting that Israel’s strike targeted “terror infrastructure” and was necessary to protect civilians. He said the operation had been carried out after “repeated warnings” to militant groups and that Israel remained committed to minimizing civilian casualties.

Within minutes, representatives from the European Union, South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia and several Arab states stood and left the podium, joining a larger exodus that began after the prime minister’s remarks. UN officials confirmed that the walkout involved delegations from at least 32 member states.

International Reaction

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the Israeli action as “disproportionate” and called for an immediate cease‑fire. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN, Lindiwe Mabuza, said the strike violated international humanitarian law. Brazil’s permanent representative, Paulo Teixeira, condemned the operation as “unjustifiable” and urged the Security Council to convene an emergency session.

In contrast, the United States, represented by Ambassador Linda Thomas‑Greenfield, expressed support for Israel’s right to self‑defence while urging restraint. The United Kingdom’s ambassador, Sir James Carter, called for a balanced approach, noting the need to protect civilians on both sides.

Background to the Military Action

The operation, launched on 22 September, involved air strikes on what Israeli officials identified as weapons depots and command centres in the Gaza Strip. Israeli military spokesperson Colonel Yossi Cohen reported that the strikes destroyed 12 missile sites and killed 45 militants, while claiming that civilian casualties were limited to three individuals.

Humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have documented a rise in civilian deaths in Gaza since the escalation began in early September. OCHA’s latest report, released on 24 September, recorded 1,210 civilian fatalities since the start of the conflict, a figure that Israeli officials dispute.

UN Procedures and Next Steps

Following the walkout, the UN General Assembly’s president, Abdulla Al‑Ghamdi of Qatar, called for an urgent debate on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He announced that a resolution condemning the Israeli operation would be tabled at the next plenary session on 2 October.

The Security Council is expected to meet later this week to discuss a possible cease‑fire resolution. The United States, a permanent member, has indicated it will veto any resolution that it deems overly critical of Israel.

Domestic Reactions in Israel

Within Israel, Netanyahu’s defence was met with mixed responses. The Israeli opposition party, led by Yair Lapid, criticised the prime minister for “escalating the conflict” and called for a diplomatic solution. Conversely, right‑wing parties praised the operation as a necessary response to ongoing rocket fire.

Public opinion polls conducted by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics on 23 September showed that 58 % of Israelis supported the recent strikes, while 27 % opposed them.

Implications for International Law

Legal experts highlighted that the principle of proportionality under international humanitarian law requires that the anticipated military advantage of an attack not be outweighed by expected civilian harm. Professor Miriam Adler of the International Law Institute in Geneva noted that “the evidence presented so far does not conclusively demonstrate compliance with proportionality standards.”

Human rights NGOs, including Amnesty International, have announced plans to file a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court, alleging possible war crimes.