As Israel escalates Hezbollah attacks, US concerns over Lebanon grow
The covert operation has the Lebanese militant faction reeling, but analysts question Israel’s strategic intent.
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WASHINGTON — Thousands of phone pagers and mobile radios exploded across Lebanon and in Syria in an unprecedented two-day attack by Israeli intelligence targeting Hezbollah members.
In total, the blasts killed at least 37 people and wounded nearly 3,000, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The massive covert operation Iaunched around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, as thousands of pagers first beeped and then detonated in the hands and pockets of their operators.
Among those injured was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, who the New York Times reported lost an eye. Two sons of Hezbollah’s top liaison official, Wafiq Safah, were also hurt, as was the son of Hezbollah parliamentarian Hassan Fadlallah. Two children were killed.
