IDF Say Loudspeakers Were Placed Inside Gaza Despite Netanyahu's Denial

A growing outcry is shaking Israel’s political and military landscape as IDF soldiers and their families accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of misleading the public over a controversial loudspeaker operation conducted during his recent UN General Assembly speech.

According to several parents and reservists, the loudspeakers were not kept on the Israeli side of the Gaza border, as officially claimed, but were physically placed inside the Gaza Strip a decision they say put soldiers in direct danger for the sake of what they describe as a political publicity stunt.

“The prime minister is lying,” read a joint statement from a group of soldier families. “Our children told us directly these loudspeakers were deployed inside Gaza. This wasn’t diplomacy; this was a reckless operation for PR, and our soldiers paid the price.”

The loudspeaker operation, initiated to broadcast Netanyahu’s UN speech to Gaza residents, was widely criticized by both military sources and the public. While the Prime Minister’s Office maintains that the loudspeakers were mounted on trucks “located on the Israeli side,” multiple soldiers now say otherwise.

A reservist who participated in the operation described it as “one of the most dangerous missions” of his life. He said the soldiers were given vague orders, initially told the mission was to “move the population”, only to later discover the true objective broadcasting Netanyahu’s speech as part of a public diplomacy initiative.

“It’s life-threatening,” the reservist said. “We were told to get the speakers as close to the civilians as possible. I truly risked my life and we weren’t even told the real reason.”

The “Awake Mother” group, representing Israeli mothers with sons serving in Gaza, issued a blistering statement condemning Netanyahu’s leadership:

“If one soldier is killed in this madness, does that sound reasonable to you? They are not props in your personal campaign... Once again, you’ve shown how little their lives matter to you.”

In response, families have organized a march from the IDF’s Kirya Headquarters in Tel Aviv to the Likud Party’s Metzudat Ze’ev HQ, scheduled for Tuesday. They see it as the beginning of a sustained protest movement demanding accountability and safeguarding for Israeli soldiers.

One parent called the government’s justification “a show for the world” while soldiers are thrown into life-threatening situations without transparency or necessity.

The backlash comes at a time of growing international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Netanyahu's speech at the UN focused heavily on the October 7 Hamas massacre, which Israeli officials have dubbed “Black Saturday,” as global sentiment shifts toward the recognition of a Palestinian state. In response to his appearance, the Palestinian delegation reportedly encouraged other nations to walk out in protest.

This latest incident shines a light on a deeper frustration simmering among Israeli families a sense that political maneuvers are endangering the very soldiers tasked with national defense. With the war ongoing, and no clear end in sight, many are questioning the decisions being made from the top.

One statement from protesting families read: “Never in the history of the State of Israel has there been such disregard for the lives of fighters.”

As Israel continues to defend itself against those who seek its destruction, the call for accountability must be heeded not just from international critics, but from within.

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