The detonations in Lebanon

Israel's president denies involvement in the explosions

Israeli President Isaac Herzog denies that the country was involved in the explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon earlier this week, reports Sky News. He says that Hezbollah "has many enemies".

Herzog also repeats that Israel does not want a full-scale war with its neighbor to the north. At the same time, he believes that Lebanon has been hijacked by Hezbollah and that Israel is fighting "for the entire free world".

Nearly 40 people were killed and around 3,000 people were injured when communication radio units exploded in Lebanon on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Hezbollah has singled out Israel as responsible.

.....................................

Analysis: A new kind of terror - could ban the hair dryer

Like every time people find new ways to kill each other, the explosions in Lebanon will turn the world in a slightly different direction, writes SvD's Jenny Nordberg. Pagers and walkie-talkies have been banned at Beirut airport. Soon even the hair dryer and other electronics will have to stay at home - because who knows what will explode next time?

"When a new kind of terror is invented, the consequences go far beyond the original goal," writes Nordberg.

The Guardian's Andrew Roth highlights the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to the US at the end of the week to attend the annual UN meeting. A year ago, he stood in the same place and presented his vision of "a new Middle East". Now he is on the brink of major war in the region. The trip to New York may give him a chance to evaluate the support from the United States, writes Roth and continues:

"[...] or to let Joe Biden and other allies know that he has made up his mind and will not be persuaded to avoid a wider war."

The development of events in Lebanon has painted Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah into a corner, writes DN's Nathan Shachar. Should he respond forcefully to Israel's attacks - and risk creating a schism with the militia's sponsor, Iran?

"Or should one crouch down and wait for further humiliations from Israel?", writes Shachar.

....................................... 

Sources: Explosions part of Mossad's long-term plan

The detonations in Lebanon this week were the culmination of a years-long Israeli effort to penetrate Hezbollah's communications and logistics structure. This is what several current and former intelligence officials in Israel say to the Washington Post.

Long before the communications devices were rigged with explosives, the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad developed a detailed knowledge of what Hezbollah needs, what contacts they have and what the gaps look like, one of the sources said. The whole thing should have been aimed at giving Israel a so-called "red button" against Hezbollah, that is, something that can be used "whenever you want or need it," says another source.

Why Israel pushed the button this particular week remains unclear, but experts have speculated that Israel feared Hezbollah was on their trail. Israel has not commented on the detonations, but everything indicates that it is behind them.