During his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held up a pager to invoke the September 2024 remote sabotage operations against Hezbollah, while dozens of delegates walked out of the hall amid jeers and protests.
Standing before the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought a physical prop to his address. Holding up a pager in front of the international body, the Israeli leader invoked the September 17, 2024 operations that targeted communications networks used by Hezbollah in Lebanon and parts of Syria.
“Israel struck Hamas, we struck Hezbollah. Remember the beepers?” Netanyahu said, displaying the device before the UNGA audience. “You remember the beepers? Remember these things? Remember them? Well, I can tell you this Hezbollah certainly remembers them. Guess what happened to the bulk of the vast arsenal of 150,000 ballistic missiles and rockets? All aimed at our civilians. They’re gone.”
At UN, Netanyahu brandishes pager
Netanyahu was referring to the September 17 and 18, 2024 explosions in which thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members detonated in two separate waves across Lebanon and parts of Syria, in an attack attributed to Israel and dubbed Operation Grim Beeper. The blasts killed 12 people according to a BBC report at that time, while Lebanese government records stated that 42 people, including 12 civilians, were killed and around 4,000 civilians were injured. The attacks reportedly put around 1,500 Hezbollah fighters out of action due to injuries. Reports indicated the devices had apparently been compromised before reaching Hezbollah members. The explosions caused casualties not only among Hezbollah members but also among civilians, and Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also injured with what Iranian media described as minor injuries. Netanyahu also posted while speaking at the UN: “Speaking now at the UN. Remember the pagers? Hezbollah sure does,” accompanied by a photo displaying a pager as a prop.
Reflecting on the impact on the militant group, Netanyahu stated: “Hezbollah’s leaders, dead. Their spirit, broken. They’re all gone too.”
Seven-Front Conflict Claims and Regional Fallout
Benjamin Netanyahu UNGA address
Netanyahu used his UN appearance to characterize Israel’s military engagements as a “seven-front war” spanning the past three years.
“In the last three years, our heroic soldiers have fought a war on seven fronts.”
The speech also featured a direct action aimed at the Iranian delegation. Displaying a Starlink satellite internet receiver, Netanyahu stated he would leave the device behind for the Iranian delegation, saying, “So when they inevitably defect, they too will be able to freely tell their story on social media,” adding that it was only a matter of time before the Iranian authorities would be toppled.
Remember The Beepers
Walkouts, Jeers, and Clashing Demonstrations in New York
The address triggered an immediate and polarized response inside the General Assembly hall. Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN came as he faces a closely fought election campaign in Israel, with the October 27 polls approaching.
The speech concluded amid heightened diplomatic friction. Netanyahu maintains his schedule as he faces domestic political pressures, with upcoming elections in Israel set for October 27.