India, Sept. 26 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday faced a dramatic mass walkout at the United Nations General Assembly as he defended Israel's continuing war on Gaza.

Met with a mix of jeers and applause, Netanyahu insisted that Israel "must finish the job" against Hamas.

He said that in an "unprecedented operation", Israeli intelligence services had taken control of phones inside Gaza to stream his address, while loudspeakers along the border also carried his words.

Speaking directly to hostages still held in Gaza, Netanyahu said: "We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you."

Issuing a warning to Hamas, he said, "Lay down your arms. Let my people go. If you do, you will li...