Israel’s Failed Pager Plot: 15,000 devices miss Hezbollah targets
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has disclosed new details about a covert operation involving pager and walkie-talkie explosions targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. According to reports, over 15,000 devices failed to detonate during the operation, leaving many questioning the efficacy and execution of the decades-old plan.
The idea for the operation was first conceptualised by Mossad more than ten years ago. Once the plan was finalised, the IDF’s intelligence and operations units took charge, ensuring the concept was transformed into an actionable strategy. The timing of the attacks was meticulously analysed to maximise their impact, with the northern front involving Hezbollah chosen as the prime target.
On September 17, precisely at 3:30 pm, thousands of pagers simultaneously detonated across Lebanon. The following day, pre-rigged walkie-talkies also exploded. While the operation was initially planned for the beginning of the conflict, security concerns delayed its execution until mid-September, when Gaza was no longer the primary battlefield.
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The explosions resulted in approximately 30 fatalities, including two children, and left around 3,000 people injured. Despite the scale of the operation, the failure of 15,000 devices during the final activation phase significantly dampened its effectiveness.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly overruled objections from some security officials who opposed the use of such explosive devices. However, IDF insiders revealed that their recommendation to delay the attacks was rooted in a desire to prioritise the northern conflict with Hezbollah over early action in Gaza.
While the operation has drawn praise for its ingenuity, the failure of the undetonated devices has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the operation’s shortcomings highlight the risks associated with long-term covert plans. Questions have also been raised about the ethical implications of targeting devices used in civilian areas.
Two months after the attacks, Netanyahu officially took responsibility for the operation, emphasising Israel’s commitment to countering Hezbollah’s influence in the region. However, the revelation of the operation’s partial failure and the resultant casualties have reignited debates over the methods employed in Israel’s ongoing conflict with its northern adversary.
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