Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Hamas to free the remaining hostages being held in Gaza during a combative speech at the UN General Assembly marked by walkouts and a smattering of American applause.

“Free the hostages now,” Netanyahu said in his Sept. 26 address. “If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”

Empty chairs for Israeli leader

As Netanyahu took to the stage, dozens of assembled diplomats filed out the room in New York. There was also some applause as Netanyahu spoke, including from members of the U.S. delegation after Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump, who he's due to meet at the White House on Sept. 29.

"Trump understands better than any other leader that Israel and America face a common threat," Netanyahu said, referring to Hamas, Hezbollah militants and Yemen's Houthis − all linked directly and indirectly to Iran, Israel's arch foe.

Netanyahu brought his characteristic fiery and pugilistic rhetoric to the assembly in New York, a venue he's spoken at many times before, and where diplomatic walkouts in protest at leaders' speeches are a common occurrence.

Fury over Palestinian recognition

"This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada and other countries unconditionally recognized a Palestinian state. They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 − horrors praised on that day by nearly 90% of the Palestinian population," Netanyahu said. He accused Western countries of giving into pressure from activists and others who have accused Israel of war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

He said recognizing a Palestinian state amounted to "sheer madness." Netanyahu's speech came as Israeli forced assaulted Gaza City amid famine conditions in the coastal territory.

Some 1,200 Israelis were killed nearly two years ago in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on the militant group in Gaza.

Hundreds of protestors jeered Netanyahu from the street outside the UN secretariat.

Israeli leader's speech is broadcast in Gaza

In what appeared to be U.N. assembly first, Netanyahu had arranged ahead of his speech for loudspeakers to be placed on Israel's border with Gaza so that his words could be directly broadcast into the enclave. He also said that Israel's army has taken over the mobile phones of Gaza residents to carry his speech live. He used this unusual move to first address Israel's hostages, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive out of a total of 48.

"We have not forgotten you − even for a second. The people of Israel are with you," he said.

Then he addressed Hamas fighters directly, many of whom he said are holding out in Gaza City, offering to spare their lives if the hostages were released.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We will hunt you down'. Netanyahu warns Hamas in fiery UN speech

Reporting by Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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