Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in New York last night with leaders of allied countries ahead of his long-awaited speech today to the UN General Assembly, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Netanyahu is seeking support for his efforts to secure the release of hostages still being held by the radical Palestinian group "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip, the agency notes.
Argentine President Javier Milley has offered Netanyahu his full support for the release of the remaining hostages held by "Hamas" hostages, the president's office in Buenos Aires announced in a statement.
Milley is a staunch supporter of Israel - he has visited the country several times and has periodically declared his interest in Judaism, DPA notes.
Netanyahu also met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, thanking him for his "unwavering support" of Israeli efforts to free all the captives. Alon Ohel, kidnapped by "Hamas" nearly two years ago and appearing in a video released by the Islamists, has, in addition to Israeli, Serbian citizenship.
During his meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, the Israeli prime minister praised the "firm position" of the South American country "against anti-Semitism and against terror".
The war in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, 2023, after an unprecedented cross-border attack by "Hamas" against Israeli territory. According to Israeli data, about 1,200 people were killed at that time and 251 hostages were taken captive. "Hamas" still holds 48 hostages, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
According to information from the "Hamas" Health Ministry, the victims of the subsequent Israeli offensive in the coastal territory have already exceeded 64,000.