Israeli Forces Take Control Of Gazans' Phones To Livestream Netanyahu’s UN Speech

The Israeli army on Friday seized control of mobile phones belonging to residents in Gaza, broadcasting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations directly to their devices.

Calling it an “unprecedented operation”, the announcement was made through the official Prime Minister of Israel account on X. It said the army had “taken control of the telephones of Gaza residents and Hamas members” to stream the live address from the UN building in New York.

“In an unprecedented action, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a live broadcast from the UN building in New York, has announced that the IDF took control of the telephones of Gaza residents and Hamas members, and that his speech is now being broadcast live via the telephones,”

Netanyahu’s office wrote.

The PM appealed to the residents of Gaza and made it clear that the war could end immediately upon the return of the hostages, the disarming of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Strip.

PM Netanyahu stressed that whoever does so will live while those who do not will be hunted

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 26, 2025

During his speech, Netanyahu said parts of it were also broadcast over loudspeakers in Gaza in an attempt to reach both Hamas leaders and hostages held since the October 7, 2023 attack.

“We have not forgotten you — not even for a second. The entire nation is with you, and we will not be silent or let up until we bring you all home, the living and the dead alike,” Netanyahu said, briefly switching to Hebrew.

He also denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, saying Israel had made efforts to warn civilians through leaflets and other means before military action.

Netanyahu vowed to block the creation of a Palestinian state, accusing European leaders of pushing Israel towards “national suicide” and rewarding Hamas.

“Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats,” he said. “WeWe will not commit national suicide because you don’t have the guts to face down the hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel’s blood.”

At one point, Netanyahu held up a map of the Middle East and used a pen to cross out enemies Israel claims to have eliminated. Iran, which boycotted the speech, displayed photos at its UN seat of people it says were killed in Israeli strikes, numbering over 1,000.

(With inputs from AFP)