The October 7th attack of last year awoke beasts that have been dormant for years, Israel and Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. Ever since 2006, Israel and Hezbollah have been relatively peaceful. It was when Hezbollah supported the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 by launching a rocket campaign that the rivalry between them got reignited at an explosive rate. The latest escalations were the beyond-fathoming pager attacks and the Israeli strikes in Beirut that led to several deaths, including that of Ibrahim Aqil, Hezbollah’s highest military body. Here is a breakdown of what led to these chaotic and bloody escalations.
Lebanon Pager and Walkie-Talkie Attacks
The world was shocked to hear about the news on Tuesday when the report of pagers exploding in several parts of Lebanon, including its capital Beirut, and in several towns that are rich in Hezbollah operatives in the central Beqaa valley. Israel didn’t stop at this as they initiated a similar attack but with walkie-talkies the following day. The incidents left in their wake at least 37 people killed – including two children – and wounded 2,900 others, as per the Associated Press report.
The pressing question is, how did normal pagers become lethal weapons? CNN provides a breakdown of the details about the pagers that exploded: “The attack targeted pagers identified as the Taiwan-based Gold Apollo Rugged Pager AR-924, which had been purchased by Hezbollah in recent months. It is unclear how the explosions were triggered.” The pagers are 7.3cm by 5cm, weigh 95g, have lithium batteries, and are designed to last for 85 days.
There are many theories as to how the pagers and walkie-talkies exploded. As per the Reuters report, “Diplomatic and security sources speculated that the explosions could have been caused by the devices’ batteries detonating, possibly through overheating.” Others believe that Israel might have infiltrated the supply chain for Hezbollah’s pagers, having planted bombs at one point in the pagers during its manufacturing process before being shipped to Lebanon. Israel has been largely blamed for this, given its past, and it took advantage of the fact that Hezbollah is using untraceable methods of communication, such as the aforementioned pagers and walkie-talkies.
Israeli Airstrike Kills Ibrahim Aqil
Based on the CNN report, 31 people have been killed, including Ibrahim Aqil, part of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, and other senior Hezbollah leaders. In addition, Reuters reported that at least 66 people were injured, with nine of them being in critical condition. Aqil had a $7 million bounty over his head by the United States Department due to his involvement in the 1983 United States embassy strike, which killed 63 people, in addition to the Hezbollah bombing of the Beirut Marine barracks, which left 241 American personnel dead later that year, as stated by the CNN.
Ever since the October 7th attack, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. As per the CNN report, Israel made it clear that it wants to relocate its citizens back to the North, as it deems it a political necessity.
Israel’s war with Gaza is ongoing, on the verge of breaking its year mark in less than a month. It struck a school compound, which led to the death of 22, including women and children, on Saturday. Furthermore, per the United Nations Population Fund, nine out of 10 Gazans have been displaced from their homes, including pregnant women, since the start of the war. Israel wants nothing to stop in its way of destruction, whether it be Hamas or Hezbollah.
The Aftermath
Investigations are underway to see whether the pagers’ attack violates international human rights law. Hezbollah vowed that there would be a “crushing response” after these attacks. The Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib told CNN about his fears that these attacks are an “introduction to war,” urging the United Nations Security Council and the United States to help bring back peace along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Israel is still planning attacks, having notified the United States about initiating attacks without releasing any details.
