KATHMANDU: At least nine people were killed and nearly 2,700 injured in a catastrophic attack that occurred in Lebanon on Tuesday involving hundreds of pagers that exploded. Hezbollah appears to be the main target. Israel is allegedly behind the attack, according to both the armed group and the Lebanese government. Hezbollah militants are reportedly among the dead, while the Iranian envoy to Lebanon is reportedly hurt.
More explosions were reported on Wednesday, indicating that Israel may be trying to incite a more serious war with Hezbollah. The strike has raised tensions. The situation is still unstable even if both parties assert that they do not want a full-scale conflict. Since the Hamas strikes on Israel on October 7, Hezbollah and Israel have been embroiled in a protracted battle that has resulted in rising hostilities.
Experts surmise that a great deal of preparation and coordination went into the pager strike, especially since Hezbollah usually communicates via low-tech pagers rather than cell phones. This suggests that someone in Israel was probably aware of the ways in which Hezbollah communicates and took advantage of holes in their system.
Israel has targeted Iranian diplomatic installations and killed important Hezbollah figures, demonstrating its contempt for the sovereignty of neighboring governments. Public declarations downplaying the desire for conflict are contrasted with recent provocations, such as the strike in Lebanon, which indicate a determination to escalate tensions.
Given Israel's aggressive tactics, the situation is dangerous, with both Iran and Hezbollah probably contemplating their next move. The dynamics of the region are made more complex by the unanswered question of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran.
This risky game of brinkmanship has the potential to unleash instability and violence throughout the region and the global economy. Since American diplomats appear to favor Israel rather than serve as impartial mediators, initiatives by the United States to mediate a truce in Gaza have come under fire for being seen as dishonest.
Israel has given conflicting signals about its objectives, announcing in public that it wants to prevent war and acting in ways that seem to contradict this. The recent pager strikes show that instead of seeking diplomatic solutions, there is a determination to take on Hezbollah.
As things progress, there is a greater chance of a regional conflict, which raises questions about the possible outcomes and effects on Middle Eastern security.
