IDF confirms it was told by PM’s office to air UN speech across Gaza to ‘influence’ civilians, Hamas

The IDF confirms that it was ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office to broadcast the premier’s UN speech to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as part of an “influence campaign.”

Netanyahu’s office said it had instructed the military to place loudspeakers on trucks on the Israeli side of the Gaza border only, without risking the lives of troops, though the IDF says it also brought such loudspeakers into the Strip.

It is unclear if the IDF violated the prime minister’s instruction by bringing the loudspeakers into Gaza or if the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office had false information.

The military says a total of nine loudspeaker systems were deployed for the “influence campaign,” aimed both at the Palestinian civilian population in the Strip and against Hamas.

The campaign is also part of efforts to influence the hostage talks in Israel’s favor, the military says, adding that other tools are being used, which it refuses to elaborate on.

The loudspeakers were placed on cranes and trucks and taken to army encampments inside the Strip, the military confirms, though the IDF says none are being brought to the front lines. Others were placed along the border with Gaza.