Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, first publicly confirmed that he had sanctioned a heavy military attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which would include the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members, which resulted in heavy casualties.
Confirmation of the Pager Attacks
On November 10, 2024, while addressing the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu disclosed that he had "greenlighted" the pager operation, which took place mid-September. This attack claimed nearly 40 lives and wounded about 3,000 people. Until this statement, Israel had not yet accepted its role in the explosions that occurred on September 17 and 18. Netanyahu's spokesman, Omer Dostri, said this move is a defining moment for Israel since it finally accepts responsibility for the attacks. It was reported that the bombs targeted Hezbollah agents who were using the devices to infiltrate Israeli reconnaissance systems and exploded in supermarkets and other public places across Lebanon, creating pandemonium in the country.
Operation Details
The pager attacks were carried out with precision and sophistication. It is said that explosives were strapped to the devices before they are distributed to Hezbollah. The militant group, however, began using more analogue modes of communication as a ruse to avoid surveillance by Israeli intelligence. While unveiling the pager attacks, Netanyahu revealed that he had directed a pinpoint attack that caused the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He said that operations happened despite opposition from senior members in Israel's defense establishment, an indication of disagreement within the country's military policies.
Consequences and Response
These actions have heightened tension in the region. Hezbollah has promised to retaliate against Israel for what they consider to be a direct attack on their movement. Lebanon responded to these actions by lodging a formal complaint with the UN as part of its demand for international condemnation, terming Israel's acts an "egregious war against humanity". Netanyahu's confession comes at a time when there is substantive negotiating process with the Donald Trump of America, seeking to consolidate some strategic alliances between the two countries as the region continues experiencing heightened instability.
Netanyahu's Strategy
Netanyahu admitted that Israel was involved in this and other attacks, as part of a broader policy to degrade the functional capabilities of Hezbollah, but also to signal Israel's readiness and ability to act decisively against perceived threats. The military actions in such a complex Middle East geopolitics normally tend to kill civilians and inflate tensions between differing factions.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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