Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Faces Walkouts as Gaza, Yemen Crises Dominate UN
Several important Middle East issues were discussed at the United Nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions and said accusations of genocide in Gaza were untrue.
Many delegates left the room while he spoke.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke by video because the United States did not give him a visa.
Hamas said it was ready to continue with a plan for peace and rebuilding Gaza.
Israel says Hamas must give up its weapons before rebuilding can begin.
Much more money is needed to rebuild Gaza than has been collected so far.
In Yemen, the Houthis claimed they attacked targets in Saudi Arabia, but the claims were not independently confirmed.
The United Nations said civilians in Yemen urgently need food, shelter and medical care.
Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s attacks on Iran and rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza during a speech marked by mass delegate walkouts.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN by prerecorded video after the United States denied him a visa for the second consecutive year.
Hamas said it was ready to implement a proposed Gaza peace roadmap but did not mention disarmament, which Israel says is required for reconstruction.
Only 1 billion euros of the estimated 71 billion euros needed to rebuild Gaza has been raised, according to a senior European Union official.
The Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets, while the UN urged humanitarian access in Yemen and reported at least 125 civilian casualties since early August.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas, Houthi rebels, Saudi officials and United Nations representatives.
- What
- The UN developments included Netanyahu’s speech, debate over Gaza’s future, claimed Houthi attacks and calls for humanitarian aid in Yemen.
- When
- The developments were reported on Thursday; the UN said at least 125 civilians had been killed or wounded in Yemen since the beginning of August.
- Where
- The events centered on the United Nations General Assembly, Gaza, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Netanyahu defended Israel’s military decisions, while other officials and groups addressed Gaza’s reconstruction and peace plans, regional attacks and Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.
Palestinian and Houthi Positions
Israeli and Saudi Positions
Gaza war and allegations
Palestinian and Houthi Positions
Palestinian officials and many international delegates have emphasized the plight of Palestinians and called for tangible action against Israel; Netanyahu rejected genocide allegations as false.
Israeli and Saudi Positions
Netanyahu defended Israel’s conduct and denounced delegates who walked out of his speech as moral cowards.
Gaza peace and reconstruction
Palestinian and Houthi Positions
Hamas said it was fully ready to implement the proposed peace roadmap, while Abbas said Palestinians would not accept displacement or others deciding their future.
Israeli and Saudi Positions
Israel says Gaza reconstruction cannot proceed until Hamas disarms, and the available reconstruction funds remain far below the estimated need.
Regional security
Palestinian and Houthi Positions
The Houthis said their attacks were retaliation for an unjust siege and airstrikes from Saudi territory, while the UN called for aid access and protection for Yemeni civilians.
Israeli and Saudi Positions
Saudi Arabia said its forces had intercepted six ballistic missiles and that its government could defend the territory it controls.
- Netanyahu speech
- He called allegations of genocide in Gaza “the biggest lie of the century” and said attacking Iran was an easy decision.
- UN reaction
- Scores of delegates left the hall during Netanyahu’s address, leaving many seats empty.
- Abbas address
- Mahmoud Abbas spoke by prerecorded video after the United States denied him a visa for the second straight year.
- Gaza reconstruction need
- The United Nations, World Bank and European Union estimate that 71 billion euros is needed to rebuild Gaza.
- Gaza funds raised
- A senior European Union official said only 1 billion euros had been collected.
- Houthi claims
- The Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks against targets in Riyadh, Yanbu and southwestern Saudi Arabia, without providing evidence.
- Yemen casualties
- The UN said ground fighting, artillery and airstrikes had killed or wounded at least 125 civilians since early August.