“Lay down your arms or be hunted”: Netanyahu issues stark warning to Hamas

In a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would not yield to international pressure to halt its campaign in Gaza. Instead, he declared the country “must finish the job,” vowing to defeat Hamas and rejecting the notion of a Palestinian state.

“Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure … And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won’t,” Netanyahu told delegates, criticizing global reactions to the war, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

His speech, however, was met with walkouts and protests. Dozens of representatives left the chamber during his remarks, while shouts and applause echoed in the hall. Supporters invited by Netanyahu’s office—among them American attorney Alan Dershowitz—sat in the gallery. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused the Palestinian delegation of orchestrating the disruption to simulate mass resistance.

Wearing a distinctive hostage lapel pin featuring a QR code to an October 7 website, Netanyahu directly addressed captives held in Gaza:

“Our heroic brothers — this is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to you from the UN stage. We have not forgotten you for even a second. The entire nation is with you. We will not rest and we will not relent until we bring you all home — the living and the fallen alike.”

He then issued a direct warning to Hamas:

“Lay down your arms. Free all [the] hostages now … If you do, you will live. If you don’t Israel will hunt you down.”

Netanyahu contended the conflict could end immediately if Hamas acceded to Israel’s demands.

“If Hamas agrees to our conditions the war can end immediately. Gaza will be demilitarized, Israel will take security control and a civil authority will be established by Gazans and others, committed to peace with Israel.”

He criticized several Western nations—such as Britain, France, Canada, and Australia—for recognizing Palestinian statehood this week, alleging the move legitimizes terrorism.

“Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere,” he said, further asserting, “murdering Jews pays off.”

He tied such decisions to antisemitism: “Antisemitism dies hard. In fact, it doesn’t die at all.”

Netanyahu charged that many global leaders had capitulated to media bias, domestic Islamist pressure, or ethnically biased mobs.

“Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us privately thank us,” he claimed, citing their praise for Israel’s intelligence services in thwarting terror plots in their capitals.

His address comes amid mounting international scrutiny. Israel has been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity, and the International Court of Justice is evaluating a South African genocide complaint. Netanyahu, however, denied those charges and insisted that any Palestinian state would be an existential threat to Israel:

“This will not happen,” he said during his UN address.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Donald Trump told reporters ahead of a White House visit with Netanyahu that a deal is close that could release remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza. The two leaders are scheduled to meet on September 29 — their fourth meeting this year.

Separately, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly via video after being denied a US visa. He saluted global recognition of Palestinian statehood and asserted that the PA stands ready to govern Gaza, should Hamas disarm. Netanyahu dismissed this possibility outright, reiterating that a Palestinian state would be a grave threat to Israel’s security.

By Vafa Guliyeva