{"id":2342912,"date":"2024-09-18T14:15:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-carried-out-pager-attack-after-fears-hezbollah-was-on-to-operation-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-18T14:17:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:17:03","slug":"israel-carried-out-pager-attack-after-fears-hezbollah-was-on-to-operation-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-carried-out-pager-attack-after-fears-hezbollah-was-on-to-operation-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel carried out pager attack after fears Hezbollah was on to operation &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-carried-out-pager-attack-after-fears-hezbollah-was-on-to-operation-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2342912&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Israel conducted\u200b a mass detonation of Hezbollah&#8217;s pagers in Lebanon, prompted by concerns that the militant group was \u200conto an imminent espionage operation. According to U.S. officials, intelligence indicated that the operation had to be executed\u2063 quickly, resulting in \u2063a premature attack that ultimately succeeded in severely damaging Hezbollah&#8217;s communication capabilities and\u2062 causing \u2064numerous injuries. Prior to the attack, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and \u200bDefense Minister Yoav Gallant, held extensive security discussions, but details \u2064were withheld from U.S. officials,\u200b with only a \u200bbrief notification provided to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin just before the operation commenced. Following the initial detonation of pagers, Israel proceeded to destroy Hezbollah walkie-talkies the next day, leading to \u2064further casualties.\u2062 The operation \u200dwas described as a preemptive move \u200din the context of escalating tensions \u200dwith Hezbollah.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Israel carried out pager attack after fears Hezbollah was on to operation<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1762787\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Israel\">Israel<\/a> carried out its mass detonation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hezbollah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Hezbollah\">Hezbollah<\/a> pagers in Lebanon after fears that the militant group was on to the operation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Israeli intelligence suspected that one of the most daring espionage operations in recent history was about to be uncovered, prompting it to be carried out early, three U.S. officials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2024\/09\/18\/hezbollah-pager-explosions-israel-suspicions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> <em>Axios<\/em>. <em>Al-Monitor<\/em> reported the concerns, alleging two Hezbollah members raised suspicions about the devices days before the attack.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was a use it or lose it moment,&rdquo; one of the U.S. officials said.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the apparently premature attack, it appears to have been a wild success, causing thousands of injuries and crippling Hezbollah&rsquo;s communications network.<\/p>\n<p>A former Israeli official with knowledge of the operation said it was originally intended as a preemptive strike for an all-out war against Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other Israeli officials engaged in hours of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rabbis-security-company-offering-firearms-training-for-scared-california-jews\/\" title=\"Rabbi&#039;s security firm provides firearms training to anxious California Jews.\">security consultations<\/a> around the matter in the days preceding the attack, including when top Biden adviser Amos Hochstein was visiting the country. Hochstein wasn&rsquo;t given any information or hints as to the operation. The only notice the United States was given was a call from Gallant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin minutes before the attack. Gallant gave Austin a vague notice that an operation was about to begin.<\/p>\n<p>Israel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3158055\/hezbollah-walkie-talkies-explode-lebanon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"followed up\">followed up<\/a> the Tuesday attack with the mass detonation of Hezbollah walkie-talkies on Wednesday, killing at least nine and injuring over 300, with the totals expected to rise.<\/p>\n<p><em>Axios<\/em>, which cited two sources familiar with the matter, reported that thousands of Hezbollah walkie-talkies were blown up across Lebanon. They were booby-trapped long in advance by Israeli intelligence and delivered to Hezbollah, which had ordered them as part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-nevada-a-corrupt-cash-for-votes-scheme-is-hiding-in-plain-sight\/\" title=\"In Nevada, A Corrupt Cash-For-Votes Scheme Is Hiding In Plain Sight\">group&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hezbollah-walkie-talkies-explode-in-second-day-of-surprise-attacks-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Hezbollah walkie-talkies explode in second day of surprise attacks - Washington Examiner\">emergency communications system<\/a> to be used in the event of a war with Israel.<\/p>\n<p>United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reflecting the Israeli official who said the operation was originally intended to be a preemptive strike ahead of an all-out war, voiced his concern that the operation was a preemptive strike in a possible Israeli invasion of Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The logic of making all these devices explode is to do it as a preemptive strike before a major military operation,&rdquo; he said at a press conference shortly after the attack. &ldquo;So as important as the event in itself &hellip; is the indication that this event confirms that there is a serious risk of a dramatic escalation in Lebanon, and everything must be done to avoid that escalation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib echoed this sentiment, saying the attacks could serve as an omen for a wider war.<\/p>\n<p>Gallant announced shortly after the attack that Israel was &ldquo;opening a new phase in the war&rdquo; and that the &ldquo;center of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of resources and forces.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1762787\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1762787\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israel executed a mass detonation of Hezbollah pagers in Lebanon due to concerns that the militant group had caught wind of the operation. According to three U.S. officials speaking to Axios, Israeli intelligence believed that a significant espionage mission was at risk of being exposed, leading them to act sooner than planned. Al-Monitor reported that two members of Hezbollah had raised suspicions about the devices just days before the attack. One U.S. official described it as a &#8220;use it or lose it moment.&#8221; Despite being seemingly premature, the operation proved highly effective, resulting in thousands of injuries and severely disrupting Hezbollah&#8217;s communication network.<\/p>\n<p>A former Israeli official familiar with the mission indicated that it was initially designed as a preemptive measure ahead of an anticipated full-scale war with Hezbollah. In the days leading up to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other officials held extensive security discussions on this issue while top Biden adviser Amos Hochstein was visiting Israel; however, he received no information regarding this operation. The only notification given to the United States came from Gallant calling Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin just minutes before executing the plan.<\/p>\n<p>Following Tuesday&#8217;s attack, Israel proceeded with detonating numerous Hezbollah walkie-talkies on Wednesday, resulting in at least nine deaths and over 300 injuries\u2014numbers expected to rise further. Axios reported that thousands of these walkie-talkies were destroyed across Lebanon; they had been rigged by Israeli intelligence long beforehand and delivered under false pretenses as part of Hezbollah\u2019s emergency communications system for potential conflict with Israel.<\/p>\n<p>United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about whether this action constituted a preemptive strike ahead of an impending Israeli invasion into Lebanon. He stated at a press conference shortly after: &#8220;The logic behind making all these devices explode is indicative of preparing for major military operations.&#8221; He emphasized that while this event is significant in itself, it also signals an increased risk for dramatic escalation in Lebanon which must be avoided.<\/p>\n<p>Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib shared similar concerns regarding potential wider conflict stemming from these attacks. Shortly after they occurred, Gallant announced that Israel was entering &#8220;a new phase in the war,&#8221; indicating a shift in focus towards northern operations through reallocating resources and forces<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2342913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Hezbollah.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[24658,4671,36847,4133,32076],"class_list":["post-2342912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hezbollah","tag-israel","tag-military-operation","tag-news","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Hezbollah.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2342912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2342912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2342912\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2342913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2342912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2342912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2342912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}