The volatile situation between Hezbollah and Israel has taken a dangerous turn with the revelation that batteries in Hezbollah’s walkie-talkies contained PETN, a highly explosive compound. A Lebanese source with knowledge of the device’s components told Reuters that the explosive material was ingeniously integrated into the battery pack, making detection incredibly difficult. This revelation comes amidst heightened tensions between the two groups, with Israel allegedly targeting thousands of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies.
The near-daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, ongoing for almost a year, have fueled fears of a potential escalation into a full-scale war. Israel has declined to comment on its alleged involvement in the attacks, maintaining its customary stance on such matters.
In a significant escalation, Hezbollah launched 140 rockets towards northern Israel on Friday, a day after their leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed retaliation for a mass bombing attack targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices. The Israeli military reported that the rockets came in three waves, targeting sites along the border with Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they targeted multiple air defense bases and the headquarters of an Israeli armored brigade, claiming it was their first strike on this particular location. The group asserted that the rocket barrage was a response to Israeli strikes on villages and homes in southern Lebanon.
The frequency of rocket exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel has increased since October 8, the day after the Israel-Hamas war began. However, Friday’s rocket barrages were more intense than usual. Nasrallah, undeterred by the recent sabotage of Hezbollah’s communication devices, which he called a “severe blow,” vowed to continue daily strikes on Israel.
This dangerous escalation of violence raises serious concerns for the region’s stability. The integration of explosives into seemingly innocuous devices and the ongoing threats of retaliation indicate a potential for a significant escalation of the conflict, with the possibility of a full-scale war looming large.
