For the second consecutive day, Israel’s cyber forces and Mossad’s covert units have intensified their offensive against Hezbollah’s communication networks, leading to devastating consequences for the Iran-backed group in Lebanon. This operation focused on compromising walkie-talkies and pagers, many of which were rigged with explosives and detonated in a coordinated fashion. More than 3000 casualties were reported Tuesday alone and the toll is mounting for Wednesday.

A Coordinated Cyber and Covert Strike

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) cyber teams, alongside Mossad, have been systematically targeting Hezbollah’s encrypted communications systems. This operation, which began on Tuesday, reached its peak on the second day with larger explosions in Hezbollah-dominated areas of southern Lebanon and Beirut. Israeli officials confirmed that the operation was designed to cripple Hezbollah’s ability to communicate securely, severely impacting their command and control capabilities.

An IDF source noted that the explosive-laden walkie-talkies and pagers were remotely triggered after it was suspected that the terror group or its allies might detect the compromised devices. The official explained, “We had to act quickly, or risk the possibility that Hezbollah would identify the devices and neutralize our operation.”

Mossad’s Role

Mossad’s involvement in the operation has been crucial, especially in tampering with the devices. Hezbollah had imported these communication tools from Taiwan earlier in 2024 to evade Israeli interception of their smartphone networks. However, Mossad had already infiltrated the supply chain, installing explosive components that were later activated remotely.

Mossad has a long history of using technology and sabotage to target its enemies. This operation mirrors the 1996 assassination of Hamas bombmaker Yahya Ayyash, who was killed when his explosive-laden cellphone detonated during a call. Similarly, Hezbollah’s use of pagers and walkie-talkies, thought to be a safer alternative to smartphones, was turned against them.

A wireless security expert noted that Hezbollah’s shift from smartphones to more rudimentary communication devices was intended to evade Israeli cyber surveillance. However, the group underestimated Israel’s technological reach, leading to catastrophic outcomes.

Hezbollah’s Response and Casualties

The explosions have severely impacted Hezbollah. On the first day, at least 12 Hezbollah operatives were killed, alongside multiple civilians. On the second day, the death toll increased, with over 20 people—including Hezbollah members and civilians—killed in the blasts. More than 450 individuals were injured across both days, with hospitals overwhelmed by the casualties.

In response to the attacks, Hezbollah vowed to continue its operations against Israel. Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s leader, had previously advised his operatives to avoid using smartphones, citing Israeli infiltration of their networks. This led to the adoption of pagers and walkie-talkies, which were ultimately compromised, highlighting a critical misstep by the group.

The Broader Context of Escalation

The attacks are part of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated after the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel. Hezbollah, acting in coordination with Hamas, has opened a northern front, targeting Israeli towns and military positions. This has resulted in sporadic exchanges, with significant losses on both sides.

An Israeli official commented, “We are taking decisive action to prevent Hezbollah from escalating the conflict further, while also dismantling their military capabilities. Our goal is to safeguard the northern border without sparking a full-scale war.”

Airstrikes and Strategic Objectives

In addition to the cyber and covert operations, Israeli fighter jets conducted several airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, these strikes targeted military buildings used by Hezbollah in various locations, aiming to degrade their operational capacity.

These actions align with Israel’s broader strategy to contain Hezbollah’s threat while avoiding a larger war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict will not go unanswered, and that Israel will continue its operations to ensure the safety of its northern border.