According to the Hezbollah media office, Israel has started distributing leaflets in certain areas of Lebanon, which contain a “very dangerous” barcode.
Australia’s News Corp Australia reported that once scanned, the barcode allegedly allows the other party to obtain “all information” from the phone.
When asked directly about the leaflet airdrop on Tuesday, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer avoided the question.
“The Prime Minister has clearly stated… that we will respond twice as strongly to anyone attempting to harm this country,” Mencer said. “Israel’s patience is not unlimited. We will protect our northern border and ensure our people can safely return home.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel vowed to continue its airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that anyone hiding missiles in their living room or rockets in their garage would have no place to hide.
During a visit to an Israeli intelligence base, Netanyahu addressed Lebanese citizens, stating, “Our war is not against you, but against Hezbollah.” The Israeli Defense Forces declared that Hezbollah has hidden cruise missiles, rockets, and drones in civilian residences.
Netanyahu warned that Iran-backed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is “leading you to the edge of the cliff.”
“For your own benefit, break free from Nasrallah’s control.”
Israel has eliminated much of Hezbollah’s leadership in two days of targeted airstrikes. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israel’s strikes on Monday resulted in over 550 deaths in Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Ibrahim Qubaisi, the chief commander of Hezbollah’s rocket division, was killed in the outskirts of Beirut, according to Reuters.
US officials told CNN that the airstrikes severely weakened Hezbollah, setting them back about 20 years.
After nearly a year of conflict with Hamas, Israel has shifted its focus to the northern border with Lebanon. On October 7 last year, militants led by Hamas attacked Israel, sparking a war between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza. The Iran-backed Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon the next day to support their ally Hamas. In the past week, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated sharply.
Last week, there were a series of explosions involving pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, resulting in 39 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries.
How these communication devices were remotely detonated remains a mystery. Many in Lebanon are still questioning whether other devices like cameras, phones, or laptops may also have explosives planted in them.
Israel has refused to acknowledge any involvement in the matter.