Israeli army ordered to broadcast Netanyahu's UN speech across Gaza

The Israeli army is preparing to broadcast Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations across the Gaza Strip, according to media reports.

Loudspeakers mounted on military trucks have been sent to the Gaza Strip to air the speech, scheduled for 4pm Israel time (1pm GMT) on Friday.

A military source told Haaretz the move is part of ongoing "psychological warfare" tactics.

However, the decision has faced internal criticism within the military. One senior officer reportedly described it as a “crazy idea,” according to Haaretz.

The Israeli army declined to comment and referred reporters to the prime minister’s office.

The move has also drawn sharp criticism from the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza, as well as from the parents of soldiers. 

They accused Netanyahu of endangering troops for the sake of his personal political agenda.

Amid growing backlash, the prime minister’s office confirmed that it had ordered the military to proceed, describing the broadcast as part of a “public diplomacy effort”.

It added that no loudspeaker trucks would enter Gaza, and that they would remain on the Israeli side of the boundary, claiming there would be no risk to soldiers.

A group of soldiers' parents said Netanyahu was “lying” and that they knew from their children “that the loudspeakers were placed inside Gaza”.

Palestinian media reported that the speech will also be broadcast via quadcopters, and that an Arabic translation will be sent to Gaza residents on their phones.