The Hamas Movement has strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, accusing him of attempting to obscure the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement responding to Netanyahu’s speech on Thursday, Hamas described his remarks as being built around what it called “lies and slogans,” arguing that the Israeli prime minister’s account of the war was contradicted by the destruction and humanitarian suffering witnessed in Gaza.

Netanyahu used his UN address to defend Israel’s military campaign, reject allegations of genocide and portray Israeli forces as acting to protect civilians. Dozens of delegations left the General Assembly hall as he began speaking, while Netanyahu criticized those who walked out.

Hamas said Netanyahu’s claims were increasingly difficult to reconcile with the situation on the ground, pointing to the deaths of Palestinian civilians, restrictions affecting access to food and water, and the destruction of homes and essential infrastructure.

The movement specifically rejected Netanyahu’s assertion that the Israeli military is “the most moral” in the world, saying the claim was incompatible with the scale of civilian suffering reported from Gaza.

Hamas also rejected Netanyahu’s denial that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. The movement pointed to UN reporting and international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct of the war, as well as statements by Israeli officials and military personnel, as evidence it said contradicted the prime minister’s account.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, told the General Assembly that accusations of genocide against Israel constituted what he called “the greatest lie of the century.” He said Israel had taken measures to protect Gaza's civilian population and argued that its military campaign was directed against Hamas.

The competing claims come amid continued international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where the war has caused extensive civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

Hamas also highlighted the departure of numerous delegations from the General Assembly chamber as Netanyahu began his speech, describing the scene as evidence of what it called growing international opposition to Israeli policies.

Reuters and other reports confirmed that representatives from numerous countries walked out before or as Netanyahu took the podium.

Hamas said the walkouts reflected increasing international support for Palestinian rights, including the right to self-determination and statehood.

The movement further accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies in the occupied West Bank that threaten Palestinians and provide political cover for settler violence.

Hamas said Netanyahu’s remarks regarding the West Bank demonstrated what it described as an intention to deepen Israeli control over the occupied territory.

In his UN address, Netanyahu referred to the West Bank by its biblical name, “Judea and Samaria,” and said the territory formed part of Israel’s historic homeland. He also defended Israeli settlement activity and criticized international opposition to Israel’s policies.

Hamas called on Palestinians to confront what it described as continuing Israeli attacks and settlement expansion in the occupied territory.

The movement concluded by criticizing the decision to allow Netanyahu to address the UN General Assembly while he remains subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hamas said Netanyahu should instead face judicial proceedings.

The statement adds to a broader international dispute surrounding Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN, which came amid widespread criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and visible protests both inside and outside the General Assembly. (ILKHA)