In final UNGA speech, Biden reminds world of Oct 7 atrocities, says it's time to 'bring the hostages home and free Gaza from Hamas’ grip'

He says diplomatic solution is the 'only path to lasting security' in Middle East

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In his final address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden called for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, specifically urging for the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza to end.

Biden told the attendees from the UN member states that he is pushing for peace in the region to secure a better world position against the ongoing threat from Iran.

“The world must not flinch from the horrors of October 7th. Any country — any country would have the right and responsibility to ensure that such an attack can never happen again,” Biden said.

“Thousands of armed Hamas terrorists invaded a sovereign state, slaughtering and massacring more than 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, in their homes and at a music festival; despicable acts of sexual violence; 250 innocents taken hostage.

“I’ve met with the families of those hostages. I’ve grieved with them. They’re going through hell,” the U.S. president continued.

He also noted that too many “innocents in Gaza are also going through hell."

“Now is the time for Israel and Hamas to finalize the terms of a ceasefire and hostage release deal, bring the hostages home and free Gaza from Hamas’ grip,” Biden urged.

He addressed the settler violence in the West Bank, saying, “As we look ahead, we must also address the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank and set the conditions for a better future including a two-state solution…where Israel enjoys security and peace, full recognition and normalized relations with all its neighbors, and where Palestinians live in security, dignity and self-determination in a state of their own.”

Since the beginning of the year, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Israelis, targeting individuals and organizations accused of violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized the sanctions, which included preventing Israeli organizations from entering the United States, owning American assets or holding a U.S. bank account, and prohibiting foreign banks from working with the sanctioned entities.

In his address to the UN, Biden also said his administration is determined to prevent a wider war in the region since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, reminding the representatives that Hezbollah forces in Lebanon initiated the conflict with Israel last year.

“Hezbollah, unprovoked joined the October 7th, launching rockets into Israel. Almost a year later, too many on each side of the Israeli-Lebanon border remain displaced. Full-scale war is not in anyone's interest. A diplomatic solution is still possible. In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security."

Speaking about the Iranian support for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, Biden said, "Together we must deny oxygen to its terrorist proxies and ensure that Iran will never, ever obtain a nuclear weapon."

After 50 years of public service, Biden told the UNGA leaders that “it’s time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward.”

“My fellow leaders, we must never forget, some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people.”

Click here to read Biden's full speech.