In a startling turn of events, Lebanon was rocked by a series of massive explosions on September 17 and the following day, marking a new chapter in the long-standing Israel-Lebanon conflict.
The initial blasts, triggered by handheld pagers, devastated Beirut and other major cities, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives and leaving thousands injured. Just a day later, a second wave of explosions, this time linked to hand-held radios, claimed at least 20 lives and injured over 450 people.
Hezbollah, Lebanon's powerful military group, swiftly pointed fingers at Israel, declaring it "fully responsible" for the sophisticated and coordinated attacks. While Israel has chosen not to comment, the complexity of the operations suggests involvement from a state actor with advanced intelligence capabilities.
Further investigations revealed that the electronic pagers implicated in the attacks were reportedly manufactured by the Taiwan-based company Gold Apollo. However, the company's founder has categorically denied producing these devices. Instead, attention has shifted to Budapest-based BAC Consulting KFT, a European distributor, raising serious questions about the supply chain's integrity. It's possible that the devices were either intercepted during shipment or that BAC Consulting unknowingly distributed tampered products.
Cyber and Psychological Warfare
This latest assault represents a significant departure from previous conflicts between Israel and Lebanon, which have traditionally focused on territorial disputes and ideological differences. The 2006 Lebanon War, for example, was characterized by airstrikes, artillery shelling, and limited ground invasions.
The use of low-tech communication devices like pagers and radios to orchestrate explosions signifies a strategic shift. It's not merely about damaging infrastructure; it's about creating widespread fear, panic, and uncertainty among the civilian population. By targeting common telecommunication platforms, the attacks blur the lines between civilian and military targets, making it increasingly challenging to discern intent.
This approach aligns with global trends where modern conflicts are becoming more digital and ambiguous. Similar to the 2009 Stuxnet malware attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, these tactics aim to destabilize through psychological means rather than traditional military force. However, unlike cyber-attacks that target infrastructure, the Lebanon blasts directly affected individuals and communication networks, heightening public anxiety.
If this marks the beginning of a new phase in the conflict, both Israel and Hezbollah may find themselves navigating uncharted territory. The intentional targeting of civilians for psychological warfare could escalate tensions and lead to more inventive and unpredictable forms of assault in the future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
