Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mass walkout by delegates as he addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday, where he defended Israel’s decision to attack Iran and sharply criticized those who left the hall.

As Netanyahu approached the podium, delegates responded with a mixture of cheers and boos, while scores of representatives walked out. Many seats remained empty as he began his address.

Netanyahu described the decision to attack Iran as one of the easiest decisions he had made and accused the delegates who left the hall of lacking courage.

“If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now,” he said.

The Palestinian Mission to the United Nations had called on delegations to leave the chamber during Netanyahu’s speech.

Hamas signals readiness for Gaza peace plan

Meanwhile, Hamas said it was prepared to move ahead with the next steps of a proposed peace agreement for Gaza after US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace unveiled a six-month reconstruction plan worth $2.45 billion.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the group was fully prepared to implement the Board of Peace’s roadmap, but did not refer to any plan for the group to surrender its weapons.

Israel has said reconstruction efforts in Gaza cannot proceed unless Hamas disarms.

Hamas had previously agreed to a proposal that included disarmament but has since accused Israel of violating ceasefire arrangements, while Israel and Hamas have traded allegations over breaches of the agreement and Israel's continued presence in large parts of Gaza.

A senior European Union official said only 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) has so far been raised toward the estimated 71 billion euros ($80.8 billion) required to rebuild Gaza.

The estimate was jointly made by the United Nations, the World Bank and the 27-member European Union.