Netanyahu tells UN that Israel seeks peace in 'fight for its life'

Operations against Hezbollah will continue as long as it chooses path of war, he says

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Israel is seeking peace despite fighting for its life in the face of "savage enemies" who want its annihilation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a closely watched address to the United Nations on Sept 27.

"My country is at war, fighting for its life," Mr Netanyahu said in a speech at the UN General Assembly.

"We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers. Our enemies seek not only to destroy us, they seek to destroy our common civilisation and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror," he said.

Mr Netanyahu said operations against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue.

"As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safe," he said, adding that operations against the militant group would "continue until we meet our objectives".

He sought to pin blame for the conflict on Israel's archenemy, Iran, which backs Hezbollah. He said Israel was defending itself against Tehran on seven fronts.

"There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that is true of the entire Middle East. Far from being lambs led to the slaughter, Israel soldiers have fought back with incredible courage," Mr Netanyahu said to applause, while some delegates, including the Iranians, walked out.

“I have another message for this assembly and for the world outside this hall: We are winning," he said.

Mr Netanyahu said earlier on Sept 27 that Israel would press on with discussions on ceasefire proposals for Lebanon in the days ahead, as Washington warned that further escalation would only make it harder for civilians on both sides to return home.