• Netanyahu plans to defend Israel's military actions in a UN speech.
• He accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting unrest.
• Criticism from Mamdani includes labeling Netanyahu as a "war criminal."
• Israeli casualties from the recent Hamas attack on October 7 total around 1,200.
• Israel claims it targets Hamas while denying accusations of genocide.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he will use his upcoming address at the United Nations to defend Israel's military actions against the Palestinians. This assertion came as a response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal" during a CNN interview, accusing him of being an "architect of a horrific genocide" against the Palestinian people, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

In a brief video statement, Netanyahu expressed his intention by saying, "I'm coming to the UN... I'm going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm going to tell the truth about you (Mamdani)." He criticized Mamdani for allegedly supporting Hamas and inciting violence against Jewish New Yorkers. "Shame on you, Mr Mamdani," Netanyahu stated, condemning both the mayor's comments and his stance on Israel, as reported by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

The backdrop to this conflict is significant; a recent Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the kidnapping of 251 others, according to Israeli authorities. In retaliation, Israel has conducted air and ground operations that have reportedly killed over 73,000 Palestinians, a figure that does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. Israel has unequivocally denied accusations of committing genocide, insisting it targets Hamas militants, as cited by Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

Netanyahu's spokesperson, Doron Spielman, reaffirmed that the prime minister has addressed the UN more than any other world leader. Spielman stated that Netanyahu plans to utilize this platform to confront what he refers to as a "false narrative" surrounding Israel. He emphasized that Netanyahu is "not intimidated by anybody," particularly by Mamdani, reinforcing the determination to present Israel’s side of the narrative to the international community, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.