How Israel's Mossad used a shell company to plant and sell explosives to Hezbollah
PTC News Desk: At least nine people, including an 8-year-old girl, were killed, and nearly 3,000 others wounded on Tuesday when pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon. The devices, allegedly rigged with explosives by Israel’s spy agency Mossad, caused widespread chaos and fatalities.
A Lebanese security source revealed to Reuters that explosives were planted inside the pagers, which were imported by Hezbollah months earlier. However, Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the incident.
The United States confirmed that prior to the explosion, Israel had informed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about a forthcoming military operation in Lebanon but did not provide specific details.
The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has vowed retaliation against Israel, intensifying fears of escalating conflict. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in sporadic cross-border warfare, particularly after the Gaza conflict that erupted last October.
The attack on the pagers appeared to be the result of a carefully planned, months-long operation by Israel to strike multiple Hezbollah targets simultaneously. According to a report by the New York Times, which cited 12 current and former defense and intelligence officials, the operation was complex and required significant coordination.
The senior Lebanese security source stated that Mossad had planted explosives in 5,000 pagers, which Hezbollah had acquired some time ago. The explosive devices were strategically designed to target Hezbollah members in one coordinated attack.
The blasts have intensified tensions in the region, as Hezbollah prepares to respond to what it views as a direct attack on its members. Further developments in this unfolding conflict are anticipated as both sides brace for potential escalation.
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- With inputs from agencies