Lebanon is reeling from a second wave of deadly explosions targeting Hezbollah members, just a day after pagers used by the militant group detonated across the country. These incidents have heightened fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, as tensions in the region escalate dramatically.
The initial wave of explosions on Tuesday, which targeted pagers utilized by hundreds of Hezbollah members, claimed the lives of at least 12 people, including two young children, and left thousands injured. The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have accused Israel of being behind the attacks.
The following day, on Wednesday, additional explosions occurred in Beirut and other areas of Lebanon, including several blasts during a funeral for three Hezbollah members and a child who had perished in the previous day’s explosions. This second wave resulted in at least 20 deaths and over 450 injuries, according to the Health Ministry.
The use of pagers in these attacks has raised eyebrows due to the technology’s obsolescence in modern communication. While mobile phones have become the global standard, Hezbollah has relied heavily on pagers for communication, especially after their leader, Hassan Nasrallah, cautioned members against using cellphones due to potential Israeli surveillance. Pagers operate on a different wireless network, making them more resistant to interception and offering a more secure communication channel for the group.
Experts believe that the explosions were likely the result of a sophisticated supply-chain sabotage operation. They speculate that small explosive devices were integrated into the pagers before they were delivered to Hezbollah, potentially triggered remotely via a radio signal. This suggests a deep level of infiltration and boobytrap-like interference within Lebanon’s supply chain, raising concerns about the potential for more rigged devices.
While the details of the attacks remain unclear, the timeline for such an elaborate operation could span from several months to two years. It requires careful planning, including building relationships to gain access to the pagers, developing the embedded technology, and verifying that the intended targets were using the devices.
Hezbollah, vowing to retaliate against Israel, launched rockets at Israeli artillery positions on Wednesday, marking its first offensive action against Israel since the recent explosions. The Israeli military reported no damage or casualties from the attack. While Hezbollah is keen on avoiding an all-out war, the scale of the situation is likely to push them towards a stronger response.
Meanwhile, Israeli leaders have expressed growing impatience, raising concerns about the potential for a full-blown conflict. The use of pagers in these attacks, the escalating rhetoric from both sides, and the growing number of casualties paint a grim picture of the region’s escalating tensions, making a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah a real possibility.
