Hezbollah, no stranger to Israel’s formidable intelligence operations, was dealt a significant blow when thousands of pagers carried by its operatives in Lebanon were remotely detonated. The pager explosion not only disabled a vital part of the group’s communication system but also exposed, killed, and wounded numerous members of the militant organisation. The aftermath has left Hezbollah scrambling to restore its operations while navigating the psychological and operational fallout.
The scale of the attack has been devastating. Lebanon’s health minister reported that nine people were killed and 2,800 wounded, 200 of them critically. The casualties included an eight-year-old girl from the Bekaa Valley and even non-Hezbollah victims, such as Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, further demonstrating Iran’s deep ties with Hezbollah.
Disabling Hezbollah’s Communications
The pager explosion represents a new chapter in the intelligence war between Hezbollah and Israel, particularly Mossad. Hezbollah had invested in pagers as a low-tech solution to avoid Israeli surveillance of mobile communications. However, reports indicate that Israeli operatives infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain, embedding explosives in a batch of Hezbollah pagers. When remotely detonated, the pagers incapacitated key communication channels across Lebanon.
“This is a huge intelligence victory for Israel,” said Matthew Levitt, director of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “Hezbollah now has to deal with the severe disruption of its communication network, and its members are likely in a state of paranoia, knowing that they are vulnerable.”
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, this latest pager explosion comes on the heels of a series of targeted Israeli operations aimed at weakening Hezbollah. These include the assassination of high-ranking officials like Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander of Hezbollah, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, both of whom were killed in the same 24-hour period.
A Broader Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah
The exploding pagers come amid already heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, exacerbating a conflict that has seen regular exchanges of fire between the two sides. Hezbollah has been firing rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel since last October, ostensibly in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The resulting Israeli retaliation has been devastating, particularly in southern Lebanon, where villages have been bombarded, forcing over 100,000 Lebanese residents to flee.
The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 400 Hezbollah operatives, as well as destroyed Hezbollah’s missile production facilities in Syria. Despite the damage inflicted by the exploding pagers, Hezbollah remains defiant. In a statement following the attack, the group declared that the pager explosions would not deter them from their mission. “Our stance remains unchanged: we will continue to support the Palestinian resistance and stand firm against Israeli aggression,” Hezbollah said.
High-Profile Assassinations
Adding to the turmoil, Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, were killed in separate incidents, likely orchestrated by Israel. Shukr was killed in Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold of Dahiyeh, while Haniyeh was assassinated in a Tehran safe house, underscoring Mossad’s reach into enemy territory.
The simultaneous hits further destabilise the region and show Israel’s extensive intelligence capabilities. The Gold Apollo operation, through which the pagers were rigged, demonstrated Israel’s capacity to infiltrate Hezbollah’s supply chain and cripple its communications infrastructure.
Psychological Fallout for Hezbollah
The pagers exploding has caused significant psychological damage to Hezbollah’s operatives. “Anyone using Hezbollah gear right now is likely wondering if they can trust it,” explained Levitt. “From low-level foot soldiers to senior leaders, everyone in Hezbollah is now wary of relying on their equipment.”
Images broadcast by Al Jazeera and Guardian Australia have shown Hezbollah members mourning the loss of comrades, including Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah member of Lebanon’s parliament, whose son was killed in the pager detonation. The attack has left Hezbollah scrambling to recover while its operatives fear further exposure.
Next Steps for Israel and Lebanon
Although the pagers explode in Lebanon during an already tense time, Israel does not appear to be preparing for a full-scale ground invasion of southern Lebanon, a move it had been considering earlier this year. However, Israeli security officials are monitoring Hezbollah’s movements closely, particularly along the border regions, where tensions remain high.
Israeli military commentators have suggested that the pager explosion was as much a psychological blow as it was an operational one. “Israel could have opted for a ground invasion, but this type of attack serves as a substitute, destabilizing Hezbollah without the need for massive troop mobilization,” said Amir Oren, a security analyst.
As Hezbollah vows to continue its fight, the exploding pagers have left the group vulnerable. With communications crippled and operatives killed or wounded, Hezbollah must now regroup under intense scrutiny, both from within its ranks and from Israel’s ever-watchful intelligence apparatus.
As the situation unfolds, Al Jazeera, Guardian Australia, and other news outlets will continue to provide updates on this escalating conflict, which shows no signs of abating soon.
