Details: "It was a 'now or never' opportunity"
Karin Thurfjell
Updated 12.19 | Published 12.19
The blowing up of the pagers would be the first move in an open war.
But Israel suspected that Hezbollah discovered the plan - and triggered the explosions prematurely, writes Axios.
- It was a "now or never" opportunity, says a source.
The original strategy was that the explosions would act as a surprise attack - and be the starting point for open warfare between Israel and the Islamist Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, writes Axios.
Middle East expert Anders Persson assesses that the information is a reasonable explanation. According to Axio's sources, the pagers were detonated prematurely because Israel suspected that Hezbollah had tracked them down. Anders Persson also considers this to be likely.
- It could be that people were afraid of being caught and tried to save what could be saved. To do it now and clip the wings of Hezbollah as best you can.
Another possible explanation could be that Israel wanted to provoke a response from Hezbollah in order to have a reason to be able to start a large-scale war. Yet another option is that Israel wanted to knock out high- and mid-level members.
"Incredibly destabilizing"
Even before the explosions, the risk of war was high. Regardless of what is behind it, the risk has now increased.- It is a type of event that is incredibly destabilizing. Having said that, it is not a given that there will be war, says Anders Persson.
This summer, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged militia members not to use mobile phones. The reason was that they were afraid that Israel could manipulate them. It seems it was after that that Hezbollah acquired this type of pager, says Anders Persson.
Must have been approved by Netanyahu
Hezbollah accuses Israel of being behind the attack and has vowed retaliation. Israel has not commented on the allegations or the attack in Lebanon, but according to Axios, the attack was approved by the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Anders Persson says that Israel's silence is "cryptic".
- It indicates some type of Israeli involvement or responsibility. If you had nothing to do with it, I think you would have denied it.
Another factor that points towards Israel is that the state has previously acted in a similar way.
- But the unique thing here is the magnitude of the attack. It is astonishing.
Hezbollah says in a statement that the group will continue to fight Israel along the border.
1 / 2Photo: Hassan Ammar / AP
Several dead - many injured
Lebanon's Ministry of Health states that nine people died and around 2,750 people were injured in the attack.Two of the dead are the sons of two Hezbollah members of parliament, according to a source to AFP. A 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was also killed, according to the source.
Among the injured is Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. However, his injuries are not considered serious.
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