Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Wednesday that the country is entering "a new phase" of war. This announcement follows a series of explosions involving pagers and other electronic devices used by Hezbollah members, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and over 450 injuries. "We are opening a new phase in the war - it requires courage, determination and perseverance from us," Gallant said during a visit to an air force base, as reported by Reuters.
Gallant indicated that the Israeli military is adjusting its focus northward. "The center of gravity is moving north. We are diverting forces, resources, and energy toward the north," he explained. Israeli Army chief Herzi Halevi supported this, stating that Israel possesses many "capabilities" that have "not yet activated." "We plan ahead by stages. At every stage, the price paid by Hezbollah should be high," Halevi added, highlighting a systematic approach to military action.
The violence erupted with the explosion of pagers linked to Hezbollah, which injured over 2,750 people. The following day, multiple walkie-talkies and other devices used by Hezbollah also exploded. Lebanese internal security forces reported that these wireless communication devices were detonated across Lebanon, particularly in Beirut's southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold. The leadership of Hezbollah has alleged that these attacks were an "Israeli breach" of its communications.
Reports suggest that Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, planted explosives inside the pagers imported by Hezbollah. However, a Taiwanese pager manufacturer denied any involvement, stating it did not produce the devices that exploded. This has led to speculation about the nature of the attacks and their implications for regional stability.
The rhetoric from Israeli officials suggests a commitment to a strong military response to any Hezbollah retaliation. The group has already indicated it will respond to these attacks, raising concerns about significant civilian casualties and the potential for a wider conflict. Notably, Netanyahu promised to return evacuated residents to northern Israel safely, asserting, "We will return the citizens of the north to their homes in security and that’s exactly what we are going to do."
Hezbollah had previously instructed its members to avoid mobile phones to prevent detection by Israeli forces, leading to increased reliance on pagers for secure communication. The recent attacks have disrupted this strategy and may have been intended to instill panic within the group and the Lebanese public, many of whom oppose Hezbollah amid ongoing political divisions.
The attack comes in the wake of heightened conflict since Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel on October 7. Israel's leadership, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has expressed a commitment to neutralizing Hezbollah. Before the pager explosions, Netanyahu's government stated that their war goals had expanded to include resettling northern Israel residents who fled due to Hezbollah’s rocket fire. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that military action was the only solution.
Hezbollah has vowed retaliation, though its form remains uncertain. The group has the capability to launch significant attacks on Israeli cities, a fact demonstrated in the 2006 war. Any successful attack on Israeli cities could result in civilian casualties, potentially giving Israel a reason to intensify its actions against Hezbollah and Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter.
In any broader conflict, the United States is likely to defend Israel, while Iran would back Hezbollah. Iran views Hezbollah as a crucial part of its regional strategy and has invested heavily in it. The Iranian regime considers both Israel and the US as existential threats.
Iran's military cooperation with Russia is robust, and Moscow may support Iran in a conflict. Iran is aware of Israel's nuclear capabilities and has developed its own nuclear program to a level near weaponization. Tehran might have secured assurances from Russia regarding defense against Israeli nuclear threats.
Despite extensive operations in Gaza, Israel has not eliminated Hamas. The challenge of defeating Hezbollah and its allies could be even greater, posing a serious risk of an unwanted wider war.
Gallant indicated that the Israeli military is adjusting its focus northward. "The center of gravity is moving north. We are diverting forces, resources, and energy toward the north," he explained. Israeli Army chief Herzi Halevi supported this, stating that Israel possesses many "capabilities" that have "not yet activated." "We plan ahead by stages. At every stage, the price paid by Hezbollah should be high," Halevi added, highlighting a systematic approach to military action.
Israeli Chief of Staff on Lebanon attacks: "We still have many capabilities,at every stage we operate we are already 2 stages ahead. At every stage the price in Hezbollah should be high.We will make it so that terrorists will be afraid of going to the toilet & even eating food." pic.twitter.com/Rd1OHoZ7fa
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) September 18, 2024
The violence erupted with the explosion of pagers linked to Hezbollah, which injured over 2,750 people. The following day, multiple walkie-talkies and other devices used by Hezbollah also exploded. Lebanese internal security forces reported that these wireless communication devices were detonated across Lebanon, particularly in Beirut's southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold. The leadership of Hezbollah has alleged that these attacks were an "Israeli breach" of its communications.
Reports suggest that Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, planted explosives inside the pagers imported by Hezbollah. However, a Taiwanese pager manufacturer denied any involvement, stating it did not produce the devices that exploded. This has led to speculation about the nature of the attacks and their implications for regional stability.
The rhetoric from Israeli officials suggests a commitment to a strong military response to any Hezbollah retaliation. The group has already indicated it will respond to these attacks, raising concerns about significant civilian casualties and the potential for a wider conflict. Notably, Netanyahu promised to return evacuated residents to northern Israel safely, asserting, "We will return the citizens of the north to their homes in security and that’s exactly what we are going to do."
Hezbollah had previously instructed its members to avoid mobile phones to prevent detection by Israeli forces, leading to increased reliance on pagers for secure communication. The recent attacks have disrupted this strategy and may have been intended to instill panic within the group and the Lebanese public, many of whom oppose Hezbollah amid ongoing political divisions.
The attack comes in the wake of heightened conflict since Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel on October 7. Israel's leadership, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has expressed a commitment to neutralizing Hezbollah. Before the pager explosions, Netanyahu's government stated that their war goals had expanded to include resettling northern Israel residents who fled due to Hezbollah’s rocket fire. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that military action was the only solution.
Hezbollah has vowed retaliation, though its form remains uncertain. The group has the capability to launch significant attacks on Israeli cities, a fact demonstrated in the 2006 war. Any successful attack on Israeli cities could result in civilian casualties, potentially giving Israel a reason to intensify its actions against Hezbollah and Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter.
In any broader conflict, the United States is likely to defend Israel, while Iran would back Hezbollah. Iran views Hezbollah as a crucial part of its regional strategy and has invested heavily in it. The Iranian regime considers both Israel and the US as existential threats.
Iran's military cooperation with Russia is robust, and Moscow may support Iran in a conflict. Iran is aware of Israel's nuclear capabilities and has developed its own nuclear program to a level near weaponization. Tehran might have secured assurances from Russia regarding defense against Israeli nuclear threats.
Despite extensive operations in Gaza, Israel has not eliminated Hamas. The challenge of defeating Hezbollah and its allies could be even greater, posing a serious risk of an unwanted wider war.
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