Netanyahu defends Israel in U.N. speech after several diplomats walk out

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country's military actions at the U.N. General Assembly. Many diplomats walked out as he took the podium, turning his address into a visible protest against Israel's conduct in Gaza.

The walkout occurred as Netanyahu approached the podium, with delegates leaving their seats before he delivered his defence of Israel's actions. According to SABC News, Netanyahu had pledged to challenge what he calls false accounts of the military campaign and to speak up for Israeli soldiers.

The protest underscored the deep division of the assembly over the war. Gaza Health officials report over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel says its campaign targets Hamas and denies accusations of genocide, while a decision on that charge is before the International Court of Justice.

Brief written by urgent.news from CBS News, SABC News, Ajel English — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.