Israeli sources acknowledged responsibility for a covert attack targeting the communication systems in Lebanon, which resulted in multiple explosions and significant casualties as reported over the past two day by the local and international media.
Israeli intelligence services carried out a two-phase attack, starting, Tuesday with the detonation of pager devices used by Hezbollah members among other people that created death and many injuries in the country.
In a second wave of cyber attacks, Wednesday, Israeli operatives destroyed thousands of walkie-talkies that had been booby-trapped and delivered to Hezbollah as part of the group’s emergency communication system.
According to Lebanese news reports, the explosions caused widespread devastation across the country, with at least three people killed and dozens injured. In total, nine people were killed, including a child, and over 2,800 people were wounded.
Sources familiar with the attacks revealed to Axios that the ultimate goal of the second wave of attacks was to create paranoia and internal mistrust within Hezbollah ranks. The hope, according to Israeli sources, was to encourage Hezbollah to distance itself from Hamas and consider negotiating separately with Israel.
The explosions occurred amidst rising tensions in the region. On Tuesday, a series of blasts destroyed thousands of pager devices across Lebanon, leading to significant casualties. During the funerals of some of the victims on Wednesday, a second series of explosions took place according to the Quds News Network.