Israel Blamed for Deadly Pager Explosions in Lebanon

Recent attacks in Lebanon involving exploding pagers and walkie-talkies have been attributed to Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, marking a significant escalation in covert operations against Hezbollah. The explosions resulted in at least 32 deaths and thousands of injuries, underscoring the operation's devastating impact and raising fears of potential retaliation from Hezbollah. This tactic recalls the assassination of Yahya Ayyash in 1996, where Israel first employed telecommunications for targeted killings, establishing a precedent for modern warfare techniques. Despite Israel not officially claiming responsibility, Western officials suggest the sophisticated nature of the attacks aligns with Israel's historical strategies of targeted killings to instill fear among adversaries. The implications of this operation may lead to a broader conflict, depending on Hezbollah's response, as the group acknowledges suffering a significant blow. The long-standing history of such operations by Israel reflects both a commitment to national security and ethical dilemmas surrounding the effectiveness and consequences of targeted assassinations.