"The Last Chance": Israel Detonates Hezbollah’s Pagers Early Amid Fears of Plot Leak

Last Updated: September 19, 2024, 10:05 IST

Israeli forces detonated thousands of Hezbollah’s communication devices in Lebanon earlier than originally planned, amid concerns that the Iranian-backed group had uncovered their operation. This decision, reportedly approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed intelligence suggesting that Hezbollah had detected the explosives hidden within the devices, as reported by the *New York Post*.

### Early Detonation of Explosive-Laden Pagers

According to the reports, the pagers—primarily the AR-924 model—had been modified before being shipped to Lebanon from Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo. The explosives were implanted near the battery, with remote activation switches enabling a coordinated detonation. After the initial explosions on Tuesday, a second round of blasts targeted Hezbollah’s walkie-talkie radios the following day. This escalation was driven by fears that Hezbollah operatives might abandon their devices after the first attack.

### Disrupting Hezbollah’s Communications Network

CNN intelligence analyst Bob Baer explained that Israel's actions had severely disrupted Hezbollah's communications, potentially paving the way for an imminent Israeli military offensive in Lebanon. With Hezbollah now unable to coordinate operations effectively, Baer, a former CIA operative, highlighted Israel’s newly gained strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict. 

Baer also noted recent comments from Israel’s defence minister, which suggest that Israel may be shifting its focus towards Hezbollah in Lebanon, moving away from its concentration on Gaza. This shift could lead to further escalation, including an invasion or intense bombardment of Lebanon. He described Israel’s breach of Hezbollah’s supply and communication networks as a significant defeat for the group.

### A Deadly Shift in Communication Methods

Reports suggest that Hezbollah began using pagers earlier this year due to fears that their mobile phones were vulnerable to Israeli surveillance. Group leaders instructed members to discard their smartphones and use the older communication devices. However, this switch proved fatal, as the pagers had already been compromised by Israeli intelligence.

### The "Last Chance" to Strike

Veteran Israeli investigative reporter Ronen Bergman, speaking to Israel’s *Channel 12*, revealed that fewer Hezbollah communication devices were destroyed on Wednesday compared to the previous day, but those targeted contained more powerful explosives. According to Bergman, the devices—such as walkie-talkies used for military communication—were likely attacked out of concern that Hezbollah would inspect their supplies after the initial explosions. This may have been viewed as Israel’s “last chance” to detonate the compromised equipment.

Bergman added that these attacks emphasised Hezbollah’s vulnerability in its military communications, with the Israeli strategy highlighting the flaws in the group’s operations.

### Hezbollah’s Response and Regional Tensions

The Lebanese government and Hezbollah swiftly condemned the attacks, calling them acts of "criminal Israeli aggression." Senior Hezbollah official Hashim Safi Al Din warned of "uniquely bloody revenge" for what he called a treacherous assault on the group’s operatives. 

While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, reports indicate that the operation was a joint effort between Mossad and the Israeli military. Several analysts suggest that this incident demonstrates an unprecedented level of Israeli infiltration into Hezbollah’s communications network, which could lead to a further escalation in violence across the West Asia region.

'It Could Signal A Wider War': Israel, Hezbollah Weigh Options After Lebanon Blasts, West Asia On The Edge

Israel and Hezbollah are carefully evaluating their next steps after a series of blasts rocked Lebanon, leaving the region teetering on the edge of a broader conflict. Explosions targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices have caused numerous casualties, raising alarm within the group.

On Wednesday, a second wave of detonations hit Hezbollah, destroying thousands of radios and communication devices across Lebanon. These attacks killed at least 20 people and injured over 450, intensifying tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and bringing both sides closer to an all-out war. The blasts followed an earlier wave of explosions, which targeted hundreds of paging devices used by Hezbollah. This unprecedented assault, attributed to Israel, killed 12 people, including two children, and left 2,800 others injured across the country.

**'A Historic and Unprecedented Operation'**

John Spencer, a military expert and chair of urban warfare studies at West Point, was taken aback by the strategy behind the attacks on Hezbollah. On Wednesday, Spencer posted on social media platform X, describing the operation as one of the most precise and widespread intelligence efforts he had ever witnessed. He noted that the attack not only caused physical harm but also severely compromised Hezbollah’s communication networks, extending beyond Lebanon to other areas in the Middle East where Hezbollah operatives use similar devices.

**US Calls for Restraint Amid Rising Tensions**

The United States has warned against any further escalation. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasised the importance of avoiding additional military operations, as the conflict risks spilling beyond Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged the shifting focus towards Hezbollah in the north, marking a new phase in Israel’s war effort. Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned the attack, calling it a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and warning that it could trigger a broader conflict.

**Hospitals Overwhelmed as Hezbollah Vows Retaliation**

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks, promising revenge. Hospitals in Hezbollah-controlled regions have been inundated with casualties. Dr Joelle Khadra, working at a Beirut hospital, described severe injuries, primarily affecting the eyes and hands, with some patients losing their sight due to shrapnel.

**Hezbollah Communications Targeted**

Experts believe explosives were planted in the paging devices used by Hezbollah, with remote detonation capabilities. Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute explained that these devices were likely tampered with before being delivered to Hezbollah. Reports indicate that the devices were sabotaged at the manufacturing source, causing significant damage to Hezbollah's operations.

**Global Concerns Mount**

The attacks have escalated an already dangerous situation in the region. Since October, the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has resulted in numerous deaths on both sides and displaced tens of thousands of civilians. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm at the escalating violence, urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid targeting civilian infrastructure.

As the situation intensifies, senior diplomats from major world powers are set to meet in Paris to discuss the escalating tensions, with the UN Security Council scheduled to convene on Friday to address the growing crisis in the Middle East.