Netanyahu Defends Israel's Actions At UN As Tensions With Hezbollah Escalate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, rejecting international calls for a cease-fire.

Netanyahu also criticized the U.N., calling it a “swamp of antisemitic bile,” while standing firm on Israel’s military offensive that has killed around 700 people in Lebanon since Monday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, NBC News reports.

Hezbollah has continued its barrage of rocket fire into Israel, triggering air raid sirens in northern cities like Haifa. While some projectiles were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defense system, others landed in open areas, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.

The World Health Organization has reported the deaths of 27 health workers amid the ongoing violence, calling it an "unacceptable trend."

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What Happened: The Israeli army has mobilized two reserve brigades to northern Israel, preparing for a potential ground incursion into Lebanon, according to NBC News. The mobilization of the 6th and 228th Reserve Brigades aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities, the IDF said in a statement.

Netanyahu said that defeating Hezbollah is crucial for Israel’s security, describing the group as "the quintessential terror organization" during his speech at the U.N. on Friday.

Why It Matters: The conflict has drawn increasing concern from the international community. President Joe Biden, addressing the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, urged diplomacy and warned against the risks of full-scale war. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib criticized Biden's remarks, stressing that the U.S., Israel's closest ally, is the only power that can truly influence the situation.

Children and families in southern Lebanon continue to flee their homes amid the violence. According to Save the Children, over 140,000 children have been displaced in just four days, many showing signs of severe psychological distress, NBC News reports. The ongoing conflict has also shut down schools across Lebanon, affecting all 1.5 million children in the country.

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