On Tuesday and Wednesday (September 18th), thousands of pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members exploded in various locations in Lebanon, resulting in dozens of casualties and thousands of injuries. Former CIA officer and CNN intelligence analyst Robert Baer stated that Israel severely disrupted Hezbollah’s communication network, dealing a heavy blow to the organization.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, sources revealed that on Wednesday, walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded in houses, cars, and in the hands of operatives across Lebanon. The day before, thousands of pagers carried by the organization’s members exploded almost simultaneously. The Lebanese government stated that the Wednesday explosions caused 20 deaths and over 450 injuries, while the Tuesday bombings resulted in 12 deaths and over 2,800 injuries, with blame often placed on Israel.
CNN reported that Baer suggested that the two attacks may pave the way for an imminent Israeli military offensive against Lebanon. He mentioned that this week’s attacks have hampered Hezbollah’s ability to coordinate effectively, granting Israel a significant strategic advantage in the conflict.
Baer pointed out that recent statements by the Israeli Defense Minister indicate a shift in focus towards Hezbollah following concentrated attacks on Gaza.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that a “new phase” of the war is commencing. He emphasized that the war’s focus is shifting northward, with the clear objective in northern Israel being to ensure the safe return of residents to their homes.
Describing Israel’s disruption of Hezbollah’s supply and communication networks as a “major failure” for the organization, Baer highlighted how Israel’s successful tactic has undermined Hezbollah’s ability to mobilize forces, coordinate attacks, and manage logistics.
Baer stressed the unprecedented nature of Israel’s penetration into Hezbollah’s supply network, noting the devastating impact on the organization’s communication through the use of walkie-talkies crucial for fire coordination, ammunition movement, and real-time communication.
If Israel advances its military plans, Hezbollah is likely to be highly vulnerable to further attacks.
Baer, a highly accomplished former CIA official, best-selling author, and CNN intelligence analyst, has been closely monitoring Hezbollah for years, expressing astonishment at the precision and scale of Israel’s actions. He characterized this operation as a major setback for Hezbollah.
He praised Israel’s technological prowess and underscored the importance of breaking through Hezbollah’s disciplined and secure communication network, making Israel’s achievement even more significant.
During a visit to the Northern Command Headquarters of the IDF, senior Israeli officer Herzi Halevi stated, “We have many capabilities that have not yet been used, we have not seen all of them activated, but this time we have seen some of them.”
Baer further stated that this operation serves as a warning to other hostile entities in the region, indicating that Israel’s ability to infiltrate Hezbollah’s communication network could signal vulnerabilities in the systems of countries like Syria and Egypt.
A source revealed that the Israeli military has redirected thousands of commandos and paratroopers from the south to the north of Israel, with this force having been stationed in Gaza for several months prior, as reported by a source to Hua Rizi News.