As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly Friday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered a few blocks from the U.N. headquarters in New York and marched on the street toward the building.

Protesters held Palestinian flags and signs calling for the end of U.S. aid to Israel and for a free Palestine.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro joined the protests making an impromptu speech to a crowd.

In his speech to the General Assembly, Netanyahu told fellow world leaders that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza.

He gave a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war in Gaza and said Israel wouldn't buckle under the pressure.

Dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the U.N. General Assembly hall as he began speaking.

Responding to countries’ recent decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu said it would encourage terrorism against Jews and others.

Israel’s campaign was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. Forty-eight captives remain in Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people and wounded more than 167,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

AP video by Mary Conlon and Ted Shaffrey