Netanyahu gifts Trump a Golden Pager in reference to Hezbollah operation
US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly gifted former US President Donald Trump a golden pager, along with a regular one, as a symbolic reference to a covert Israeli operation against Hezbollah, according to Channel 12 News.
In response, Trump praised the mission, saying, "That was a great operation."
The exchange took place against the backdrop of Israel’s intensified counteroffensive against Iran-backed Hezbollah. In September, thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon exploded, causing multiple casualties. A day later, hundreds of walkie-talkies also detonated, resulting in further deaths and injuries.
These attacks, widely attributed to Israel, were part of its efforts to curb Hezbollah’s activities following the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel by Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah.
As a token of appreciation, Trump reciprocated by gifting Netanyahu a framed photograph of the two leaders, inscribed with the dedication: “To Bibi, a great leader.”
The exchange underscores the close ties between the two leaders and highlights the strategic cooperation between Israel and the US in countering regional threats.