‘Psychological abuse’: Relatives of hostages slam Netanyahu’s plan to air UN speech across Gaza

Families of the Gaza hostages slam the decision to broadcast Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN General Assembly speech across the Gaza Strip, suggesting that the premier should instead use the opportunity to speak to the hostages.

“Instead of the Gazans, I would prefer to speak to those who are longing for a voice of hope — the hostages and the soldiers,” writes Lishay Miran-Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran, on X.

“If they’ve already set up loudspeakers, I would be happy to transmit a recording of myself to Omri so that I can tell him, and all the hostages and soldiers, that the people of Israel are fighting for them and with an overwhelming majority want an agreement that will bring them home and end the fighting,” she writes. “Would you agree?”

Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan Angrest,  also takes to X to warn the premier that there is a chance the hostages may also hear his speech over the loudspeakers.

“Any sentence other than ‘I came to the United States to sign a deal that brings you all home’ is psychological abuse for them,” she writes. “Don’t destroy their hope, if they still have any.”

לוחמי אוגדה 99 נערכים להשמעת נאום נתניהו ברמקולים לתושבי עזה pic.twitter.com/U7uZNRKRjZ

— איתי בלומנטל ???????? Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) September 26, 2025

Meanwhile, an image posted online by Kan’s military correspondent shows army vehicles with loudspeakers mounted on them in preparation for Netanyahu’s speech.