Israel's Covert War with Hizbullah Escalates Amid Pager Explosions

Israel's Covert War with Hezbollah Escalates Amid Pager Explosions

In a significant escalation of its covert war against Hezbollah, Israel is widely believed to have orchestrated a series of devastating explosions targeting the communications devices of the Shia militia across Lebanon and Syria. The blasts, which occurred on September 17 and 18, killed at least 32 people and injured thousands, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The attack marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict, as both Israel and Hezbollah grapple with the aftermath of the unprecedented assault.

The devices—pagers and two-way radios—were widely used by Hezbollah operatives after the militia abandoned mobile phones, which they feared were vulnerable to Israeli surveillance. In a carefully coordinated strike, thousands of these devices exploded almost simultaneously in homes, offices, and even at a funeral. The attacks were carried out over two consecutive days, causing widespread casualties and leaving many operatives blinded or missing limbs.

While Israel has not claimed responsibility, the intricate nature of the operation suggests the involvement of its intelligence services. The devices reportedly bore the trademark of Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, though the firm has denied involvement, pointing to a Hungarian company, bac Consulting, as the manufacturer. Regardless of their origin, the devices were likely sabotaged by Israeli agents before reaching Hezbollah operatives.

The explosions have dealt a crippling blow to Hezbollah's communications infrastructure and command structure. The group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had warned his fighters about the risks of using mobile phones, prompting the switch to seemingly secure pagers. This false sense of security was shattered by the attacks, which represent the most significant breach of Hezbollah’s operations in recent history.

The timing of the strikes has raised questions about Israel’s broader strategy. While the attacks inflicted serious damage on Hezbollah, they were not followed by a major military offensive. Some Israeli military officials have called for a ground incursion into Lebanon to further weaken Hezbollah and create a buffer zone. However, with Israel already engaged in ongoing operations in Gaza, the government appears hesitant to open a second front.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged the shift in focus to Lebanon, calling the strikes a “new phase” in the conflict. Despite this, Israeli officials remain divided on the next steps. Some advocate for exploiting the temporary paralysis of Hezbollah’s command structure, while others urge caution, preferring to avoid a full-scale war at this stage.

For Hezbollah, the explosions have been a humiliating and destabilizing setback. The militia, which has long prided itself on its resilience, now faces the daunting task of repairing its communications network and identifying the security breaches that allowed Israel to infiltrate its supply chain. Experts warn that this could take months, during which time Hezbollah’s ability to launch major attacks will be severely constrained.

Nevertheless, the group’s leadership has vowed to continue its resistance against Israel. In a speech on September 19, Nasrallah promised that Hezbollah would not back down until Israel ceased its military operations in Gaza. However, his subdued tone and visible fatigue suggested a leader reeling from the recent attacks, rather than preparing to escalate the conflict further.

As both sides reassess their next moves, the situation in Lebanon remains tense. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon continued as Nasrallah spoke, and the presence of American military assets in the region has added to the uncertainty. For now, Israel seems content to maintain its strategy of attrition, weakening Hezbollah through covert operations and psychological warfare rather than direct confrontation.

The impact of the pager explosions extends beyond Hezbollah. The attack has exposed vulnerabilities in the broader network of Iranian-backed militias that rely on imported electronics. Across the region, from Iraq to Yemen, militia groups are likely reassessing their communications systems, wary of similar Israeli operations.

For the people of Lebanon, the explosions have brought fresh misery to a country already grappling with political and economic crises. Comparisons have been drawn to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, with civilians once again caught in the crossfire of a conflict they cannot control. As the war of attrition between Israel and Hezbollah grinds on, the fear of further escalations looms large.