Netanyahu Confirms Approval of Airstrikes Killing Nearly 40 in Lebanon

Photo : AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that he authorized the pager attacks in Lebanon that resulted in nearly 40 deaths and 3,000 injuries among members of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. This confirmation came on Sunday through a statement from Netanyahu's spokesperson, Omer Dostri, who said Netanyahu had "greenlighted" the operation.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The attacks, which took place on September 17 and 18, targeted Hezbollah strongholds using thousands of pagers designed to explode. These devices were part of Hezbollah's communication network, employed by its members to avoid Israeli tracking. Following the explosions, several Hezbollah fighters were severely injured, with some losing fingers or their eyesight. The group swiftly blamed Israel for the bombings, describing them as a violation of their communications infrastructure and vowing retaliation.

Hezbollah has called the attacks an "Israeli breach" and issued threats of revenge. The pagers, which are low-tech communication tools, were crucial for Hezbollah's operatives, who have been facing increasingly sophisticated Israeli surveillance methods. The explosions occurred just hours after Israel announced that its war efforts, ignited by the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, would now include a broader campaign against Hezbollah along the Lebanese border.

Lebanon, in response to the incident, filed a complaint earlier this week, condemning the attacks as an "egregious war against humanity" and seeking international action. This complaint was made to international bodies as Lebanon expressed concerns about the escalating violence and the disproportionate toll it was taking on civilians.

Since the war began with Hamas' assault last October, the conflict has extended into southern Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have clashed along the border. The violence has claimed more than 3,000 lives in Lebanon, with several high-profile Hezbollah leaders, including the group's former chief Hassan Nasrallah and potential successor Hashem Safieddine, confirmed dead due to Israeli strikes.

In addition to these recent developments, Israel launched airstrikes on Thursday targeting Hezbollah's main stronghold in southern Beirut. One of the strikes hit near Lebanon's only international airport, causing minor damage to airport infrastructure, including the Middle East Airlines building.

The growing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in rising casualties on both sides, with the latest aerial bombardments signaling an escalation in the already volatile region.