Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed hostages via loudspeakers in Gaza during his U.N. speech, while claiming 90% of Palestinians celebrated the October 7th attack.
Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly was broadcast across Gaza through a scheme by Israeli intelligence. The prime minister aimed to speak directly to the 20 living hostages in Hamas captivity. He stated, ‘I want to do something I’ve never done before. I want to speak from this forum directly to those hostages through loudspeakers.’ His office confirmed the speech was played over loudspeakers from the Israeli side of the border with Gaza.
Israeli intelligence also facilitated the broadcast of the speech on cellphones across Gaza. However, reports indicated that the IDF placed speakers inside Gaza, raising concerns about endangering soldiers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the move, stating, ‘He is not Kim Jong-un, and the IDF does not need to broadcast speeches over loudspeakers while endangering soldiers in the field.’
Netanyahu’s address came amid heightened international criticism of Israel’s offensive in Gaza. U.N. delegates walked out of the General Assembly hall as he spoke, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was allowed to address the U.N. remotely, where he accused Israel of ‘genocide’ and sought full U.N. membership for a Palestinian state. Abbas received a significant round of applause.
Netanyahu condemned nations recognizing a Palestinian state, including France, the U.K., Australia, and Canada, accusing them of appeasement. He claimed that 90% of Palestinians supported Hamas’ attack on October 7th, stating, ‘They danced on the rooftops. They threw candies. That’s what was both in Gaza and in Judea. Samaria, the West Bank, as you call [it].’
Netanyahu also criticized the international community for failing to address Iran’s nuclear threat, stating, ‘We must not allow Iran to rebuild its military nuclear capacities.’ He mentioned recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and emphasized the need to eliminate Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium.
Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued in November 2024, complicating his international travel. He avoided signatory countries of the Rome Statute, such as Spain and France, to evade potential arrest.
After Netanyahu’s speech, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, stressed Israel’s priority of releasing hostages and removing Hamas from Gaza. He addressed President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential deal on Gaza, stating, ‘We will not stop until we get all the hostages back home safely.’
Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his opposition to Israel annexing the West Bank, stating, ‘I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.’ He also mentioned a 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza, focusing on hostage releases and a ceasefire. Danon emphasized Israel’s coordination with the U.S. and the continued focus on achieving these goals.