In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged Israel’s role in a series of deadly pager attacks that targeted Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon back in September. The attacks, which killed nearly 40 people and injured thousands, involved the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members. While Israel had been widely blamed for the attacks, it had previously refused to confirm or deny involvement.
Netanyahu’s admission, made during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, October 10, comes just days after Lebanon formally filed a complaint against Israel at the United Nations over the incidents. Lebanon accused Israel of engaging in an “egregious war against humanity, against technology, against work.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Omer Dostri, stated that Netanyahu “confirmed Sunday (October 10) that he greenlighted the pager operation in Lebanon.” This confirmation marked a significant shift in Israel’s stance, as it had previously maintained a policy of ambiguity regarding its role in the attacks.
The attacks, which occurred in mid-September, involved the detonation of hand-held devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, used by Hezbollah operatives in various locations across Lebanon. The explosions occurred in supermarkets, on streets, and even at funerals. The attacks dealt a major blow to Hezbollah, which immediately blamed its arch-foe Israel for the blasts and vowed revenge.
In the wake of the attacks, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was later fired by Netanyahu, appeared to acknowledge his country’s role in the incidents. However, there was no formal admission or claim of responsibility by Israel until Netanyahu’s recent statement.
Netanyahu’s confirmation of Israel’s involvement in the pager attacks comes amidst heightened tensions in the region. Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the Gaza war and escalated tensions in West Asia, Hezbollah has also engaged in low-intensity strikes on Israel. These strikes have intensified since the war broke out in Lebanon in late September, with Israel launching an air campaign against Hezbollah and even sending ground troops into southern Lebanon.
In addition to confirming the pager attacks, Netanyahu also revealed that he had given direct orders to Israeli forces to eliminate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He claimed that Nasrallah was killed in a precision strike in Beirut, despite opposition from senior officials in the defense establishment and the political echelon. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in the region.
Netanyahu’s admission about the pager attacks has further inflamed tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The Lebanese government has condemned the attacks and called for international condemnation of Israel’s actions. The United Nations is currently investigating the incidents, and the international community is watching closely as the situation in the region continues to escalate.
