Pagers yesterday, walkie-talkies today: Is Hezbollah at mercy of Israel?

Lebanon has been gripped by chaos following a series of explosions targeting Hezbollah communication devices. After an earlier wave of deadly pager explosions left the country reeling, walkie-talkie devices carried by Hezbollah members detonated in the group’s strongholds on Wednesday, resulting in three confirmed deaths and over 100 injuries.

This new wave of explosions comes just a day after pager blasts, reportedly caused by explosives hidden inside pagers used by Hezbollah fighters, killed 12 people and wounded nearly 3,000 across Lebanon. Hezbollah quickly blamed Israel, accusing its Mossad agency of planting explosives in the devices. Though these accusations have not been verified independently, the explosions have been described as one of Hezbollah’s biggest security breaches in recent years.

Pager explosions spark mass injuries

The first set of explosions on Tuesday targeted pagers carried by Hezbollah operatives. The devices detonated across several locations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence. Lebanese officials stated that thousands of pagers exploded simultaneously, catching many operatives and civilians off guard. Among the dead were two children, and Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was also wounded in the attack. Lebanese health minister Firass Abiad confirmed that over 2,800 people were injured, with around 200 suffering critical injuries.

Walkie-talkies detonate during Hezbollah funeral

Wednesday’s explosions occurred during funerals organised for those killed in the initial pager blasts. Multiple walkie-talkies detonated in quick succession, leaving Hezbollah in further disarray. According to sources, Hezbollah had acquired these walkie-talkies around the same time as the pagers, raising concerns about potential sabotage across the group’s entire communication system. Lebanese authorities are investigating the possibility that both the pagers and walkie-talkies were deliberately tampered with before reaching Hezbollah, adding to the widespread panic in the country.

Investigations point to Israel

Although Hezbollah has pointed to Israeli involvement, the United Nations has condemned the attacks as a violation of international law. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, issued a statement urging all parties to refrain from escalating the situation. She emphasized that civilians should never be targeted in armed conflicts, calling the attacks “deplorable.” Hezbollah has vowed retaliation against Israel, further stoking fears of an all-out war between the two rivals.

Expert opinion: What does this mean for Lebanon?

Experts believe these explosions could mark a turning point in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah, considered one of the most powerful non-state actors in the world, is integral to Lebanon’s political landscape. Any further escalation could push the fragile nation into deeper instability. “This is not just a security breach; it’s a profound signal of Hezbollah’s vulnerability,” a Middle Eastern security analyst said. “If Israel is behind this, it shows an unprecedented level of intelligence and precision.”

The use of communication devices to target Hezbollah operatives represents a dangerous trend, demonstrating the vulnerability of electronic infrastructure in modern conflict zones. Lebanon now faces heightened security concerns as Hezbollah and Israel exchange retaliatory threats, and the potential for further attacks looms large.