Benjamin Netanyahu

"Israel has been patient long enough," Netanyahu stated, referring to the ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in southern Lebanon.

The strikes, heard across the city, sent huge clouds of smoke soaring above the densely populated south of Beirut, the main bastion of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

"I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran. If you strike us, we will strike you," Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly.

"After I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight," Netanyahu said.

The comments came after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday there would be no ceasefire in the north, where Israeli jets have been carrying out the heaviest bombardment against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in decades.

Israel rejected global calls for a ceasefire with the Hezbollah movement, defying its biggest ally in Washington and pressing ahead with strikes that have killed hundreds in Lebanon and heightened fears of an all-out regional war

The joint statement, negotiated on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, says the recent fighting is “intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation”.

"It is an American-French proposal, which the prime minister has not even responded to," said a statement from Netanyahu's office, adding that he had ordered the army "to continue the fighting with full force".

Hours after the Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Lebanese people, urging them not to become "human shields" for Hezbollah.

Netanyahu has insisted on retaining control of the corridor, where Israeli troops have uncovered dozens of tunnels that officials say have been used to supply Hamas with weapons and ammunition.

Additionally, according to a Fox News report, Hamas released a disturbing video featuring the six hostages who were recently killed. The footage, shared on Hamas’ Telegram account, shows the hostages identifying themselves in a black-and-white setting.

US President Joe Biden criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a hostage deal with Hamas, following the deaths of six captives, including an American.

Some demonstrators in Tel Aviv, were seen standing behind a mock cemetery while holding signs saying “named after Benjamin Netanyahu,” as they cast blame on the prime minister for the deaths of the hostages.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a Tel Aviv bombing, calling it a "suicide operation" and threatening more attacks as the Gaza war continues.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called ongoing Israel-Hamas negotiations a "last opportunity" for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, stressing its critical nature during his ninth regional tour.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Ahead of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump urged a swift end to the Israel-Hamas war and the return of hostages, stressing improved "public relations."

Asserting that victory is in site, Netanyahu said the day after they defeat Hamas, a new Gaza can emerge.

Israeli PM Netanyahu, in a combative speech to Congress, vowed "total victory" against Hamas and called American war opponents "idiots," despite US negotiation hopes.

The Israeli leader is addressing the U.S. Congress later on Wednesday amid protests and discontent among some U.S. lawmakers over the conduct of the war in Gaza