As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate towards a potential conflict, residents of Lebanon have reportedly begun receiving messages from the Israeli military. These messages, urging civilians to evacuate areas considered Hezbollah strongholds, have created widespread fear and anxiety across the country.
The Israeli military’s first formal warning to the Lebanese population since the Gaza war last year, which promised “extensive and precise” strikes, has fueled these anxieties. Reports of nearly 500 people killed in Lebanon’s south and east have only heightened the sense of impending danger. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) has confirmed that residents in Beirut and various other regions have received phone warnings, describing them as part of Israel’s “psychological war.” These messages, delivered via landline and mobile phones, often from unknown numbers, have taken the form of both recorded calls and text messages urging individuals to distance themselves from areas associated with Hezbollah.
The method of communication has led to speculation that Israel may have hacked into Lebanon’s telecommunications networks to reach civilians. While Imad Kreidieh, head of Lebanon’s state telecom provider Ogero, confirmed that the country’s landline network blocks all calls originating from Israel, he suggests that Israel has bypassed this system by using international phone codes from allied nations. Kreidieh’s claim underscores the extent of Israel’s reach into Lebanon’s communication infrastructure, raising serious concerns about data privacy and potential security breaches.
The Israeli military has a long history of employing such warnings during military operations, using them to minimize civilian casualties while simultaneously employing psychological warfare tactics. These methods have been particularly prevalent during Israeli campaigns in Gaza, a fact confirmed by military analysts. The current situation in Lebanon mirrors these tactics, with Israel utilizing messages to instill fear among civilians while showcasing its advanced technological capabilities.
These warnings, while ostensibly aimed at reducing civilian casualties, also highlight Israel’s impressive surveillance capabilities. Israeli forces are known to target areas where their intelligence suggests Hezbollah activity, often launching missiles shortly after issuing evacuation warnings. Conflict analyst Elijah Magnier told Al Jazeera, “Israel has access to landlines, car plate numbers, and mobile phones. They can communicate directly with civilians, much like they do in Gaza or the West Bank. It’s no surprise that Israel knows exactly who lives where and can use this data in real-time.”
The history of Israeli intelligence gathering in Lebanon stretches back to 2007, when Israeli Mossad spy networks were uncovered monitoring Lebanese communication systems. The 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon resulted in a heavy toll, with 1,191 to 1,300 Lebanese casualties and 165 Israeli fatalities. Reports indicate that Israel has continued to maintain its intelligence network in Lebanon, gathering critical information over the years. Experts believe that Israel, through its Mossad agency, has infiltrated Lebanese networks long before the recent hostilities escalated in October.
In a similar incident in 2018, Lebanon accused Israel of hacking mobile lines in the Kafr Kila village, sending recorded messages that threatened imminent explosions. Amal Mudallali, Lebanon’s representative to the United Nations, condemned these actions as a “serious attack” on Lebanon’s security and privacy, calling for international condemnation of Israel’s hostile behavior. Just last week, 37 Hezbollah members were killed after devices believed to belong to them detonated across southern Lebanon. While Israel did not claim responsibility, most analysts believe the explosions were part of its covert operations.
Israel’s use of sophisticated spyware is well-documented, with the notorious Pegasus software developed by Israeli company NSO Group being employed by numerous nations to monitor their citizens. A 2021 investigation by Amnesty International linked this tool to privacy violations worldwide, including in Lebanon.
Experts have also criticized Lebanon’s inadequate data privacy laws, which have left the nation vulnerable to such breaches. The Lebanese Constitution does not explicitly protect electronic privacy, and laws related to surveillance are weak. In 2018, Lebanese embassies exposed the personal data of thousands of Lebanese citizens registered to vote abroad, raising questions about the government’s role in potential leaks. Furthermore, the Lebanese security agency has been implicated in hacking campaigns targeting individuals using popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Known as “Dark Caracal,” these campaigns have compromised thousands of gigabytes of user data. This lack of a robust legal framework has left Lebanon exposed to both external and internal threats.
With an increase in reported WhatsApp hacking incidents and other suspicious activity targeting Lebanese citizens, concerns are growing about Lebanon’s cyber vulnerabilities in a region where technological dominance can play a decisive role in conflicts. The ongoing situation in Lebanon highlights the complexities of modern warfare, where technological advancements are intertwined with traditional tactics, and the implications for civilian populations are significant.
