Hamas Claims Israel's 'Isolation' After Walkouts During Netanyahu's UN Speech

Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations, several delegations staged a walkout, signaling Israel's growing isolation as a result of the Gaza war, according to Hamas.

In a statement on Friday, Taher al-Nunu, media advisor to Hamas's political bureau chief, said, "The boycott of Netanyahu's speech reflects Israel's 'isolation' and the consequences of their destructive war."

When Netanyahu took the stage at the UN General Assembly, multiple delegations walked out in protest. Netanyahu was the first speaker of the day.

Hamas's political bureau member, Ezzat al-Rishq, added, "Now Netanyahu is surrounded only by a group of cheerleaders who entered the UN hall and applauded for genocide."

In a statement, Hamas accused Netanyahu of denying "genocide, forced displacement, and deliberate starvation in Gaza" — actions attributed to him and the Israeli military.

Referring to hostages held by Palestinian fighters, Hamas said, "If Netanyahu truly cared for his captives, he would have stopped the brutal bombings, genocide, and destruction in Gaza. Instead, he continues to lie and jeopardize their lives."

In October 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages, 47 of whom are still held in Gaza, with Israeli military reports claiming that 25 of them have already been killed.

In his angry speech at the UN, Netanyahu denied using "genocide" and "starvation" as tactics in Gaza and opposed the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He recently likened several European countries' recognition of a Palestinian state to "driving Israel toward a national catastrophe" and "rewarding Hamas."

Hamas stated that the walkouts during Netanyahu's speech were "growing evidence of global solidarity in favor of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the creation of an independent state."

According to Israeli government data reported by AFP, 1,219 people were killed in Israel during the October 2023 Hamas attack, mostly civilians. In Gaza, the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory reported at least 65,549 Palestinian deaths, most of whom were also civilians, as a result of Israeli retaliatory strikes.