A frosty reception is expected for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he fronts global diplomats - as war wages in the Middle East.

Leaders from nearly 200 UN Member states are meeting to discuss international issues in New York City.

Calls for intervention are growing - as Israel pounds southern Lebanon with bombs, and its' deadly occupation of Gaza continues.

Voice of America UN correspondent, Margaret Besheer, says many members are calling Israel's actions genocide.

"The speeches were very strong against Israel - and not just from the neighbours, but from other countries in the global south."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Netanyahu digs in on border demands, US readies last ceasefire push
• Netanyahu says Israel is winding down its Gaza operations. But he warns a Lebanon war could be next
• How does the departure of Netanyahu's biggest rival affect the war?
• Israel claims it killed senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike
• A key question behind Israeli attack on Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies: Why now?