'No place in Iran where Israel can't reach': Netanyahu vows to keep striking Hezbollah at UNGA

Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Tehran, emphasising that Israel would retaliate forcefully against any Iranian aggression.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, vowed to press on with Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, warning that the conflict would continue until Israel achieved its strategic goals. His speech came amidst growing international concern over escalating violence, with calls for a ceasefire being overshadowed by intensifying airstrikes on Hezbollah targets.

"Israel has been patient long enough," Netanyahu stated, referring to the ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in southern Lebanon. "As long as Hezbollah continues on the path of war, Israel has every right to defend itself and eliminate the threat".

"If you strike us, we will strike you, there is no place in Iran where the long arm of Israel can not reach," noted the Israeli PM.

Netanyahu's speech drew a mixed reaction. Some delegations left the assembly in protest as he took the podium, while others in the gallery voiced support with cheers. The Prime Minister used the platform to accuse Iran of orchestrating the broader regional conflict through its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen.

"We are fighting Iran on multiple fronts," he said, highlighting Israel's military efforts in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond. Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Tehran, emphasising that Israel would retaliate forcefully against any Iranian aggression. "There is no place in Iran where Israel’s long arm cannot reach," he declared.

Iran’s delegation was notably absent during the speech, and there was no immediate response from Iranian officials. However, a senior Hamas official dismissed Netanyahu’s address, labeling it "full of lies and contradictions."

In southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes continued to hit Hezbollah positions, fueling fears that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war. Diplomatic efforts at the UN aimed at brokering a ceasefire have thus far been unsuccessful, with Netanyahu insisting that Israel’s military campaign would persist. "We will continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met," he said.

Beyond the military conflict, Netanyahu also called on the U.N. to reimpose sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program, warning that Tehran was on the path to obtaining nuclear weapons. "We must do everything in our power to prevent this," he said, urging the international community to act before it's too late.

While Netanyahu’s speech underscored Israel’s determination to continue its military operations, it also highlighted the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Lebanon. Over 118,000 people have been displaced due to the ongoing violence, and Lebanese authorities reported a death toll exceeding 1,500 since the conflict began.

UN officials voiced concern over the intensifying Israeli strikes, particularly in densely populated areas of southern Lebanon and Beirut. "We are watching with great alarm," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, calling for immediate de-escalation and a return to ceasefire talks.

The conflict shows no signs of abating, and with Netanyahu’s firm stance at the UN, the path to peace remains uncertain. As the war with Hezbollah drags on, fears of a broader confrontation involving Iran loom larger on the horizon.