Encircled by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders on Friday that his country "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza, giving a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war.

"Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he said. "And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't."

He spoke after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN hall en masse on Friday as Netanyahu took to the podium. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address and did not participate in the mass walkout.

As the Israeli leader spoke, unintelligible shouts echoed around the hall. The U.S. delegation, which has backed Netanyahu in his campaign against Hamas, stayed put.

The few world powers in attendance, the United States and the United Kingdom, did not send their most senior officials or even their UN ambassador to their section. Instead, it was filled out with more junior, low-level diplomats. 

Netanyahu faces international isolation, accusations of war crimes and growing pressure to end a conflict he has continued to escalate. Friday's speech was his chance to push back on the international community's biggest platform.

WATCH | Dozens of delegates walk out as Netanyahu prepares to start speech:

Dozens at UN General Assembly walk out as Israel's Netanyahu speaks

9 hours agoDuration 2:10Delegates from multiple nations walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up to address world leaders. It comes as Israel's deadly campaign in Gaza nears the two-year mark since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

As he has often in the past, Netanyahu held up a visual aid — a map of the region titled "THE CURSE." He marked it up with a large marker. Later, he pinned a QR code onto his suit jacket and held up a board with a multiple-choice question that he read to the audience.

He also frequently praised U.S. President Donald Trump, his chief ally in his political and military approach in the region. 

In recent days, Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and others announced their recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

Responding to those countries, Netanyahu said: "Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere."

The prime minister's office said the Israeli army would take over the mobile phones of Gaza residents and Hamas operatives and his speech would be broadcast live through the mobile devices. AP journalists and a CBC News freelancer inside Gaza saw no immediate evidence of Netanyahu's speech being broadcast on phones there.

The European Union is considering tariffs and sanctions on Israel. The assembly this month passed a non-binding resolution urging Israel to commit to an independent Palestinian nation, which Netanyahu has said is a non-starter. 

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant accusing Netanyahu of crimes against humanity, which he denies. And the UN's highest court is weighing South Africa's allegation that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, which it vehemently refutes.

Opposition to Netanyahu's approach growing

At a special session of the assembly this week, nation after nation expressed horror at the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that killed about 1,200 people in Israel, saw 251 taken hostage and triggered the war. Many of the representatives went on to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and influx of aid.

Israel's sweeping offensive has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, and displaced 90 per cent of its population, with an increasing number now starving.

Demonstrators hold signs as they attend a protest in Israel, calling for the end of the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, by the Israel-Gaza border, on Sept. 19. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

While more than 150 countries now recognize a Palestinian state, the United States has not, providing Israel with vociferous support. But U.S. President Donald Trump pointedly signalled Thursday there are limits, telling reporters in Washington that he wouldn't let Israel annex the occupied West Bank. 

Israel hasn't announced such a move, but several leading members in Netanyahu's government have advocated doing so. And officials recently approved a controversial settlement project that would effectively cut the West Bank in two — a move that critics say could doom chances for a Palestinian state.

Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet during the Israeli leader's visit.

Palestinians had their UN say the day before

Netanyahu's address was preceded Thursday by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who addressed the General Assembly via video, since the U.S. denied him a visa. He welcomed the announcements of recognition but said the world needs to do more to make statehood happen.

"The time has come for the international community to do right by the Palestinian people" he said, and help them realize "their legitimate rights to be rid of the occupation and to not remain a hostage to the temperament of Israeli politics."

WATCH | Mahmoud Abbas addresses UN via video a day earlier:

Palestinian leader calls for immediate end to war in Gaza

September 25Duration 6:53Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations that Palestinians want a modern and democratic country as part of a two-state solution with Israel. He pledged to work with the UN to implement a Gaza peace plan endorsed by the UN earlier this month.

Abbas leads the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which administers portions of the West Bank. Hamas won legislative elections in Gaza in 2006 before seizing control from Abbas's forces the following year.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war, then withdrew from Gaza in 2005. The Palestinians want all three territories to form their envisioned state, part of a "two-state solution" that the international community has embraced for decades. 

Netanyahu opposes it robustly, maintaining that creating a Palestinian state would reward Hamas. 

"This will not happen," he said at the airport Thursday.