Exploding pagers

THE explosion of pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday, which killed at least nine persons and injured over 2,750, marks a concerning escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. This attack, targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices, reflects a sophisticated new tactic in the region’s protracted struggle and exposes vulnerabilities in the group's operational security. Hezbollah, a dominant force in Lebanon with ties to Iran, has historically relied on low-tech devices like pagers to evade Israeli tracking systems. The pagers carried by Hezbollah fighters, medics and civilians exploded simultaneously across several strongholds in Lebanon, including Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley. The blasts also extended into parts of Syria, where Hezbollah fighters were also affected. The simultaneous explosions suggest a breach of Hezbollah’s communication network, with Israeli intelligence suspected of orchestrating the attack.

While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the explosions, reports point to an elaborate operation involving the tampering of pagers during their manufacturing process. These devices were allegedly rigged with explosives and detonated remotely in a coordinated strike. This attack demonstrates Israel’s technical prowess and its willingness to strike Hezbollah at the heart of its infrastructure amid the broader Israel-Gaza conflict.

This episode underscores the fact that conflict in the region has escalated to a dangerous level. As Hezbollah vows retaliation, the danger of a full-scale conflict looms large. The situation in West Asia, complicated by the Gaza conflict, can spiral out of control as Hezbollah and Israel continue their tit-for-tat engagements. This attack also highlights the increasing use of technology as a weapon of war. The ability to target individuals using communication devices adds a dangerous dimension to asymmetric warfare as it takes the conflict to civilians, making it harder to predict how this conflict will evolve.