A Major Spectacle

Israel was most probably responsible for creating a spectacular attack on Hezbollah, by technologically getting their individual pagers or communication devices to explode. It does not look like a software hack.  It looks like a small explosive device or material that reacts to heating up, was included in those pagers.  Nobody doubts the responsible actor.

It is reported that a similar attack was tried on Hamas in 2009.  Hamas had imported a large number of devices from Kenwood, which the Israeli army had rigged with explosives. However, Hamas engineers detected the threat at the last moment and foiled the operation.

Bear in mind it is not only Hezbollah members that were attacked, but also medical staff, maintenance staff, everyone that gets callouts like cops, ambulances, civilians and the security of Lebanon was attacked.  In addition, the ambassador from Iran was injured.

The latest figures released by the Lebanese health ministry reveal at least 11 people were killed and 4,000 injured, 400 seriously, after pager explosions.

This came just after Israel announced that they will move their war focus from Gaza (presumably the West Bank as well) and carry on their war in the north, i.e, Hezbolla and inside Lebanon.

In an alarming change of tone and statement, Israel abandons the path of possible diplomacy to the end of the battle in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Galant met with US President’s envoy Amos Hochstein and announced: “The only way left to return the residents of the north to their homes is military action.” This coincides with yesterday’s news that Netanyahu is planning to approve a battle plan inside Lebanon and the will to carry a ground invasion.

In the 2006 Lebanon War, Israel could not beat Hezbollah. The para-military group is now much stronger with sophisticated weaponry, committed soldiers and the support of all of the resistance groupings of the area.

One has to ask why now? Why has Israel perpetrated this attack now? If they are so committed to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon, why jump the gun so to speak? Why not wait for their war to be more developed and use this technological weapon at a time that is crucial? Why did they not follow up with attacks while Lebanon is dealing with the aftermath of the exploding communication devices?

We had a quick ‘not responsible’ from The Pentagon: “The United States is not involved in the communications equipment explosions in Lebanon”. But we have seen so many of those that it is hard to accept at face value.

The only reason why Israel jumped the gun, is to try and buy some shock value and hopefully scare Hezbollah, or step back from their own war announced yesterday.  They may have tried this insane deterrent (on themselves?).  Hezbollah is the strongest non-governmental military group in the world and they do not scare easily. In fact, the resistance in the region is only more committed to their fight. Hezbollah gave Israel more than a serious nosebleed in 2006 and the ceasefire, UN-brokered, came just in time. It is reported that Bibi Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, hid in their bunker all day today, supposedly because they expected retaliation from Hezbollah. These people do not learn. Retaliation will be thought through and devastating at a time of Hezbollah’s choosing.

It remains to be seen now if Israel will follow through on their declared war in Lebanon. There is a long history of skirmishes on the blue line. If Israel has the moxie for a full-out war remains to be seen, but I don’t think so.  Lebanon: Hadi Qubaisi to Al-Mayadeen: “The Israeli enemy is unable to expand the war on Lebanon, so it turned to electronic aggression”.  Israel is not competent to make war.  They are only competent to kill civilians, children and women.   They should now be dispelled out of the United Nations.

In Israel, Holon, south of Tel Aviv, decided to open missile shelters.  European airlines are again cancelling flights to and from Tel Aviv.  Netanyahu is expected to cancel his trip to the US scheduled for September 27th in which he was expected to address the UN General Assembly.  He either understands that with this move he lost the citizens of the world who still had doubts about Israel, or, he is fearful about being arrested.