Lebanon pager blasts: Israel's cyberterrorism signals a new warfare strategy
The explosion of hundreds of communication devices belonging to members of Hezbollah, including pagers and handheld radios, has resulted in at least 30 deaths and 4,500 injuries, including more than 400 in critical condition in two waves of attack, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
The blasts took place nearly simultaneously on Tuesday over a wide geographic area in the Lebanese capital, its suburbs, and in Syria.
They were followed by a new wave of explosions on Wednesday, including at a funeral procession for victims of the initial pager explosions. Soon after, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared the start of a "new phase" in its war on Gaza, in which "the centre of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces".
These deadly attacks by Israel serve as a painful wake-up call for Hezbollah and Lebanon as a state and have several implications.
Israel aims to change the existing balance of deterrence, sow doubt and disillusionment within Hezbollah's ranks, and drive a wedge between the group and Lebanese citizens through mass civilian casualties.
