Israel’s covert operation targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon reached a deadly climax this week, resulting in two waves of explosions that devastated the country.
The blasts, which occurred through pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members, were the result of a meticulously planned Israeli intelligence operation, according to multiple defense experts.
Hezbollah, having relied on pagers to secure their communications, could never have foreseen that these very devices would turn into weapons of destruction. The first wave of explosions on Tuesday killed 12 people, including two children, and injured more than 2,300. Hospitals across Lebanon struggled to handle the sudden influx of injured, as families watched in horror. On Wednesday, a second wave of explosions claimed another 25 lives and injured over 450. The total death toll stands at 37, with thousands left wounded.
According to Lebanese officials, Israel’s Mossad spy agency had infiltrated pagers imported by Hezbollah months ago, planting small amounts of explosives in over 5,000 devices. These pagers were disguised as a product of BAC Consulting, a shell company created to produce these seemingly ordinary devices. Israel activated the explosives remotely, sending a message in Arabic to deceive Hezbollah members into believing it was from their senior leadership.
The New York Times reported that Israel had set this plan in motion long before Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, pushed for a switch from mobile phones to pagers, believing them to be safer. However, Israeli intelligence officers had already laid the groundwork, making pagers another tool in their arsenal.
The explosions impacted civilians as well, with casualties spread across homes, cafes, and markets. In one heartbreaking incident, nine-year-old Fatima Abdullah was holding her father’s pager when it exploded, killing her instantly.
Israel has yet to officially confirm or deny its role in the operation, but 12 current and former defense and intelligence officials, speaking anonymously to the New York Times, confirmed Israeli involvement. They described the attack as a long-planned and intricate effort that showed Israel’s ability to adapt to Hezbollah’s evolving strategies.