Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew a comparison between the Hamas-led terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and the September 11 attacks, saying the scale of Israel's losses was equivalent, relative to its population, to 16 attacks of that magnitude in the United States.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Netanyahu said around 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people were taken hostage during the attack.
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"Proportionately, this is equal to 40,000 innocent Americans slaughtered in less than 24 hours. That's 16 times 9/11," Netanyahu said, referring to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
He made the comparison while defending Israel's response to the October 7 attack and its subsequent military campaign against Hamas.
Netanyahu said Israel had responded by fighting across what he described as seven fronts, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran. The Israeli prime minister rejected allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, calling the accusation "the biggest lie of the century."
His remarks came amid continued international scrutiny of Israel's military operations in the Palestinian territory. Netanyahu also defended Israel's military action against Iran and thanked US President Donald Trump for his support.
Netanyahu's address was met with a visible protest inside the General Assembly hall, with officials walking out as he began speaking. He described them as "moral cowards" and continued his address to the remaining audience.
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He also addressed violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, describing those responsible as a small group of young offenders and saying he opposed vigilantism.
The speech came nearly three years after the October 7 terrorist attack, which triggered Israel's prolonged military campaign in Gaza and intensified international debate over the conduct and consequences of the war.
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