BEIRUT, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Militant group Hezbollah promised to retaliate against Israel after accusing it of detonating pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000 others who included fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut.
Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the late-afternoon detonation of the pagers - handheld devices that Hezbollah and others in Lebanon use to send messages - as an "Israeli aggression". Hezbollah said Israel would receive "its fair punishment" for the blasts.
The Israeli military, which has been engaged in cross-border fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah since the start of the Gaza war in October, declined to respond to questions about the detonations.
The death toll rose from eight to nine on Tuesday night while the number of injured remained at 2,750, Lebanon's health ministry said.
More excuse to go after Israel, a country which I compassionately defend against all criticism.
Nobody and no country should be immune to criticism. That's just toxic and authoritarian.
LSjustbloggin: More excuse to go after Israel, a country which I compassionately defend against all criticism.
Nobody and no country should be immune to criticism. That's just toxic and authoritarian.
Need more info, but not sure I'm totally against this. The Hezbollah members opened themselves up to retaliation, though I am concerned with bystanders. Hezbollah has got to be really stupid on security to fall for this though.
There was a tweet that I saw that simply stated: If Israel was 100% sure that the pagers were only with Hezbollah members, why didn't they wait until a battle or a meeting where they were FAR AWAY from civilians?
RP: Need more info, but not sure I'm totally against this. The Hezbollah members opened themselves up to retaliation, though I am concerned with bystanders. Hezbollah has got to be really stupid on security to fall for this though.
There was a tweet that I saw that simply stated: If Israel was 100% sure that the pagers were only with Hezbollah members, why didn't they wait until a battle or a meeting where they were FAR AWAY from civilians?
Analysis from BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner:
If Israel’s Mossad spy agency has indeed managed to sabotage almost the entire communications network of its enemy, Hezbollah, then when is the most effective time to deliver that blow?
The answer surely has to be: just before or during a major military offensive by the Israel Defense Forces against Hezbollah. And yet there is little or no sign of that happening.
So what does that leave? An angry and paranoid Hezbollah vowing revenge, accusations of international law being broken, but most of all, Hezbollah will now look for new ways to communicate.
The element of surprise, that might have delivered such a decisive advantage to Israel in a full-scale war against Hezbollah, has now been lost.
It’s possible that, when it comes to sabotaging its enemy’s communications, Israel has shot its bolt too early. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwyl9048gx8t
Maybe they just wanted to freak out Hezbollah.
Analysis from BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner:
If Israel’s Mossad spy agency has indeed managed to sabotage almost the entire communications network of its enemy, Hezbollah, then when is the most effective time to deliver that blow?
The answer surely has to be: just before or during a major military offensive by the Israel Defense Forces against Hezbollah. And yet there is little or no sign of that happening.
So what does that leave? An angry and paranoid Hezbollah vowing revenge, accusations of international law being broken, but most of all, Hezbollah will now look for new ways to communicate.
The element of surprise, that might have delivered such a decisive advantage to Israel in a full-scale war against Hezbollah, has now been lost.
It’s possible that, when it comes to sabotaging its enemy’s communications, Israel has shot its bolt too early.
I am not surprised by Israel's move in these attack since Israel is the most cybersecurity sophisticated country sometimes more than USA, China, and Russia, but Hezbollah was pretty dumb with carrying pagers.
I am not surprised by Israel's move in these attack since Israel is the most cybersecurity sophisticated country sometimes more than USA, China, and Russia, but Hezbollah was pretty dumb with carrying pagers.
I am not surprised by Israel's move in these attack since Israel is the most cybersecurity sophisticated country sometimes more than USA, China, and Russia, but Hezbollah was pretty dumb with carrying pagers.
Israel isn't better than the USA. They just have to show their hand more than the USA does.
The Hungarian company that Hezbollah bought the pagers and walkie talkies from was a Israeli front that was set up in 2002 specifically to sell these to Hebollah. They also sold them to others - theoretically without the explosives.
The Fixer: I am not surprised by Israel's move in these attack since Israel is the most cybersecurity sophisticated country sometimes more than USA, China, and Russia, but Hezbollah was pretty dumb with carrying pagers.
Israel isn't better than the USA. They just have to show their hand more than the USA does.
The Hungarian company that Hezbollah bought the pagers and walkie talkies from was a Israeli front that was set up in 2002 specifically to sell these to Hebollah. They also sold them to others - theoretically without the explosives.
Israel isn't better than the USA. They just have to show their hand more than the USA does.
The Hungarian company that Hezbollah bought the pagers and walkie talkies from was a Israeli front that was set up in 2002 specifically to sell these to Hebollah. They also sold them to others - theoretically without the explosives.
Did any senior leaders have them with explosive or just fighters?
RP:
Israel isn't better than the USA. They just have to show their hand more than the USA does.
The Hungarian company that Hezbollah bought the pagers and walkie talkies from was a Israeli front that was set up in 2002 specifically to sell these to Hebollah. They also sold them to others - theoretically without the explosives.
Did any senior leaders have them with explosive or just fighters?
D:1
