Exploding Phones & Toxic Spray: A Timeline Of Israel's Covert Assassination Operations

Lebanon has accused Israel of orchestrating a massive sabotage operation that led to the explosion of thousands of pagers across the country, killing several people and injuring thousands. The explosions, which occurred over two days, seem to have specifically targeted Hezbollah, the powerful Islamist militant group backed by Iran.

The coordinated blasts caused widespread chaos, sparking allegations of Israeli involvement in a broader attempt to weaken Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

The Pager Explosions: What Happened?

The first series of explosions took place on September 17, 2024, when pagers used by Hezbollah members and affiliates detonated almost simultaneously across various locations in Lebanon, including Beirut and southern regions where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence. The blasts resulted in multiple fatalities and left hundreds of people injured.

On September 18, a second wave of detonations occurred, this time involving walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah fighters, further intensifying the violence. One of these blasts happened near a funeral organized for the victims of the first explosion, adding to the devastation, as reported by Bloomberg. The coordinated nature of the attacks has left Lebanese officials convinced that the sabotage was the work of a sophisticated intelligence operation.

Accusations Against Israel

Though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement, Lebanese authorities were quick to point the finger at the Israeli government. The attack came after nearly a year of intermittent rocket fire and skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel along the Lebanon-Israel border, further exacerbating tensions in the region. The explosions have been interpreted as a deliberate effort by Israel to undermine Hezbollah, which remains a significant force both militarily and politically within Lebanon, as per media reports.

The attack also coincided with ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, making it part of a broader two-front war that Israel has been engaged in. Hezbollah's support for Hamas, coupled with its own hostilities toward Israel, makes it a likely target for such operations.

Mystery Surrounding the Execution

The nature of the sabotage has left international experts puzzled. Officials from the United Nations, government agencies, and the tech industry have struggled to determine how such a large-scale and sophisticated attack could have been carried out, as reported by Hindustan Times. The coordination required for the simultaneous detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies across the country points to advanced technological capabilities, leading to speculation about Israel's involvement.

Veterans of Israel's intelligence agencies, Mossad and Shin Bet, have in the past opened up about the country's highly specialized assassination operations, which often involve cutting-edge technology and meticulous planning. This incident seems to fit into that mould, prompting further suspicion about Israeli responsibility.

Israel's History of Covert Operations

If Israel is indeed behind the pager sabotage, it would not be the first time the country has used innovative and unconventional means to target its enemies. Israel's intelligence agencies, particularly Mossad and Shin Bet, have a long history of carrying out covert assassinations and sabotage operations against perceived threats, particularly in the context of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.

The Yahya Ayyash Assassination (1996)

One of the most famous examples of Israeli covert operations was the assassination of Yahya Ayyash, a senior Hamas bombmaker known as "The Engineer." In 1996, Shin Bet used a mobile phone rigged with explosives to kill Ayyash. A Palestinian intermediary delivered the phone to Ayyash, and Israeli intelligence agents remotely detonated it during a phone call between Ayyash and his father. The explosion killed Ayyash instantly, demonstrating the level of technical sophistication employed by Israeli intelligence.

Attempted Assassination of Khaled Mashaal (1997)

In 1997, Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Jordan. Mossad agents sprayed poison onto Mashaal's neck as he exited his car. The agents tried to disguise their actions by opening a can of Coca-Cola, but Mashaal's bodyguard noticed the suspicious activity.

The plot failed, and the Mossad agents were captured by Jordanian authorities. Only after Israel provided an antidote to save Mashaal's life were the agents released, highlighting the international ramifications of such operations.

Mahmoud al-Mabhouh's Death in Dubai (2010)

In 2010, Hamas arms dealer Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was found dead in his Dubai hotel room. Initially ruled as natural causes, the case was later reopened when Hamas accused Israel of his murder. A Mossad hit team had tracked Mabhouh to Dubai, using cloned European passports and posing as tourists. An autopsy revealed that Mabhouh had been sedated and then smothered, showcasing the stealth and precision of Israeli operations.

Iranian Scientists Targeted (2010-2020)

Between 2010 and 2020, several Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated in a series of bombings and gun attacks that Iran attributed to Israeli operatives. Most of the attacks involved motorcyclists who attached magnetized bombs to the scientists' vehicles. Though Israel never publicly confirmed its involvement, these incidents were widely believed to be part of its broader efforts to cripple Iran's nuclear program.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Assassination (2020)

One of the most recent high-profile operations attributed to Israel was the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's top nuclear scientist, in 2020. Fakhrizadeh was shot while travelling in a convoy near Tehran, with reports suggesting that Israel used a satellite-controlled sniper rifle equipped with artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously identified Fakhrizadeh as the mastermind behind Iran's nuclear weapons program, making him a key target.

Technical Sophistication of the Lebanon Sabotage

The pager and walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon bear similarities to these past Israeli operations in terms of their high level of technical expertise and careful coordination. The fact that pagers and walkie-talkies-devices that Hezbollah likely relies on for communication were used as weapons against the group indicates a deep understanding of the group's infrastructure, as per media reports.

Though the full details of how the sabotage was carried out remain unclear, experts believe it may have involved hacking into communication networks or planting explosives in the devices themselves. This kind of operation requires not only technical skill but also extensive intelligence gathering, suggesting a well-funded and highly capable organization behind it-leading to further speculation about Israel's involvement.

Impact on Lebanon and the Region

The sabotage of Hezbollah's communication systems through pager and walkie-talkie explosions has left Lebanon reeling. Hezbollah, which plays a dual role as both a political and military force in Lebanon, is likely to view this attack as a direct assault on its operations. With tensions already high due to the ongoing conflict with Israel and Hezbollah's involvement in the war in Gaza, the blasts could escalate violence in the region.

Lebanon is already struggling with a fragile political and economic situation, and this attack further destabilizes the country. For Israel, targeting Hezbollah's communications infrastructure could be part of a larger strategy to weaken the group's operational capacity without engaging in direct military conflict, as per media reports.

Conclusion

While Israel has remained silent on the matter, the sophisticated nature of the pager and walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon suggests the involvement of a highly skilled intelligence organization, with many pointing to Israel's Mossad or Shin Bet. The incident is part of a broader pattern of covert Israeli operations targeting its enemies through innovative and high-tech methods. Whether this attack will lead to further escalation remains to be seen, but it highlights the ongoing shadow war between Israel and its adversaries in the region.