Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a pager as a visual prop during his address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, recalling the 2024 explosions targeting Hezbollah communication devices in Lebanon and Syria. He said the Iran-backed group “certainly remembers them” as he defended Israel’s military actions across the region.

Netanyahu also held up a Starlink satellite internet receiver during the speech, directing it towards Iran’s delegation. His address came amid growing international criticism of Israel’s actions, while dozens of delegates walked out as he began speaking.

Netanyahu Recalls 2024 Pager Attacks

Speaking about Hezbollah, Netanyahu held up a pager and asked the audience: “Remember the beepers? Remember these things? Remember them? Well, I can tell you this: Hezbollah certainly remembers them.”

On September 17 and 18, 2024, thousands of pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies reportedly used by Hezbollah exploded in two waves across Lebanon and Syria. The operation was attributed to Israel and became known as Operation Grim Beeper.

The explosions caused thousands of casualties. United Nations officials reported at the time that communication devices, primarily used by Hezbollah members, exploded across Lebanon on September 17, followed by a second wave involving handheld radios the next day. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health initially reported 37 deaths and more than 3,400 injuries from the attacks.

Netanyahu said Hezbollah’s leadership had been eliminated and its capabilities severely weakened as he outlined Israel’s military campaign against groups it considers threats.

Netanyahu Lists Israel’s Regional Fronts

Netanyahu said Israel had spent the past three years fighting what he described as a “seven-front war”, naming Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, militias in Iraq, militias in Syria and Palestinian militants in the West Bank.

“For the past three years, our heroic soldiers have fought day in and day out in a seven-front war. Do you know any other country the size of New Jersey, capable of fighting a seven-front war?” he said.

“Seven fronts – Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, militias in Iraq, militias in Syria, Palestinian terrorists in Judea and Samaria; they all ganged up on us to wipe us off the face of the earth. They failed. Because instead of collapsing, we delivered crippling blows to all of them,” Netanyahu added.

He also credited US support for Israel’s military campaign, saying that with Israel’s “great American friends”, the country had “crushed Iran’s army, navy, air force and nuclear facilities.”

Starlink Prop And Message To Iran

During the address, Netanyahu also displayed a Starlink satellite internet receiver, saying he intended to leave it for the Iranian delegation.

“So when they inevitably defect, they too will be able to freely tell their story on social media,” he said, while predicting that Iran’s authorities would eventually be toppled by the country’s people.

The speech was delivered against a backdrop of protests and diplomatic opposition. Dozens of delegates left the General Assembly hall when Netanyahu began speaking. He referred to those who departed as “moral cowards”, while supporters in the gallery chanted in Hebrew, “The people of Israel live.”

Netanyahu Confronts Critics Over Gaza

Netanyahu also directly criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called him a war criminal, and accused some Western European leaders of giving in to what he described as “antisemitic mobs”.

“You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried. You tried to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” Netanyahu said, referring to Mamdani.

He rejected allegations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, saying, “Here’s a simple truth: Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide.”

“To all those spreading these lies about my country and about our brave soldiers, whether they sit in this hall or in the office of the antisemitic mayor of New York, I say this: Shame on you!” he added.

Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN was part of a broader effort to defend Israel’s military actions and respond to mounting international criticism. Reuters reported that the walkout highlighted the diplomatic pressure surrounding Israel as Netanyahu faces criticism abroad while campaigning ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.

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