Israel Detonated Hezbollah's Pagers Sooner Than Expected Over Concerns of Plot Exposure
Israeli officials detonated thousands of Hezbollah pagers in lebanon earlier than planned due to fears that the Iranian-backed group had uncovered their scheme, according to multiple reports.
The decision, reportedly sanctioned by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, came after intelligence indicated that Hezbollah might have detected explosives hidden in the devices, as reported by the New York Post. The pagers, mainly the AR-924 model, were allegedly modified before being sent to lebanon from a Taiwanese manufacturer, gold Apollo. Explosives were placed near the battery with a remote activation mechanism, facilitating a coordinated explosion. Following the initial attack, a second wave of detonations occurred on wednesday involving walkie-talkie radios used by Hezbollah, prompted by worries that operatives might abandon their devices after the first blast.
'Significant Defeat'
CNN intelligence analyst Bob Baer stated that israel has disrupted Hezbollah's communications, potentially paving the way for an upcoming military offensive in Lebanon. The recent strikes have left Hezbollah unable to coordinate effectively, providing israel with a strategic edge in the ongoing conflict. Baer noted that remarks from Israel’s defense minister indicate a shift in focus toward Hezbollah, as israel begins to “pivot north” after prioritizing Gaza. He cautioned that this escalation could lead to an invasion or extensive bombardment of lebanon, labeling Israel’s breach of Hezbollah’s supply and communication networks as a “significant defeat” for the group.
Multiple reports indicated that Hezbollah had started using pagers earlier this year due to fears that their cell phones were susceptible to Israeli surveillance and attacks. The group’s leadership had advised members to dispose of their smartphones in favor of these older devices. However, this change turned deadly as the pagers were compromised.
'The Final Opportunity'
Veteran Israeli investigative journalist Ronen Bergman told Channel 12 that fewer Hezbollah communications devices were destroyed on wednesday compared to Tuesday, but the larger devices targeted that day contained more explosives, leading to more powerful blasts. “Anyone nearby these devices would have had a significantly reduced chance of survival,” Bergman stated, according to The Times of Israel. He explained that the targeted devices included military walkie-talkies and other components, aimed at exposing Hezbollah’s entire military communications network’s vulnerability. Bergman suggested that those who set off the explosives might have believed Hezbollah would inspect its supplies after the first attack, making this detonation “the final opportunity” to strike.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah condemned the attacks, calling them acts of “criminal Israeli aggression.” Hezbollah officials pledged retaliation against israel, with senior leader Hashim Safi Al Din warning of “uniquely bloody revenge” for what he termed a treacherous assault on their operatives.
While israel has not formally claimed responsibility for the attacks, U.S. officials and various reports suggest that Mossad and Israeli military forces collaborated on the operation. Analysts note that this incident reflects an unprecedented level of infiltration into Hezbollah’s communications network, raising concerns about further escalations in violence in the West Asia region.
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