The Precise Strike On Thousands of Hezbollah Pagers Shows Israel’s Capability to Strike Anywhere

Written by Alex Selsky*

In its latest operation in Lebanon, presumably Israeli forces struck a blow to Hezbollah’s communication capabilities when around 3,000 pagers belonging to the organization simultaneously detonated, injuring senior Hezbollah operatives, commanders, and even Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. The pager strike demonstrated Israel’s technological strength and capabilities in the region.

While Hezbollah blamed Israel, Israeli officials declined to take responsibility. Regardless, the attack was unique: The perpetrators managed to identify Hezbollah’s communication systems, monitor them, and then execute a timed detonation of thousands of pagers—in effect, turning Hezbollah’s own equipment against the group.

Such an action requires a combination of high-quality intelligence, deep penetration, and control over advanced communication systems. The operation also demonstrated Israel’s ability to target individuals within the Iranian framework. By injuring the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Israel effectively showed his complicity; absent a Hezbollah pager, he would not have suffered an injury.

Carrying out this action in the heart of enemy territory sends a clear message: Israel has the means and ability to strike adversaries in a way from which they cannot hide. Israel has signaled that no one is immune.

Not only terrorist organizations in Lebanon and the region should take note, but also those who support them. Iranian operatives now must consider that their own equipment and networks can be penetrated.

The devices that detonated arrived from Taiwan only a few months ago. This means Israel not only knew about the transfer of these devices but also managed to embed a mechanism within them to allow remote detonation. This is an outstanding intelligence achievement. If Tehran thought they could operate from a distance and arm Hezbollah without being threatened, this latest operation proves otherwise.

The big question that remains is whether this action will lead to significant deterrence within Hezbollah and among those who support it. Hezbollah suffered a severe blow, and there is no doubt that the organization now understands that Israel can penetrate its core systems. But is this enough to restrain its activities? Will Iran now hesitate to send more equipment to the organization?

Perhaps. This precise strike serves as a declaration of capability. It shows the world that Israel can strike anywhere, at any time, with minimal harm to civilians. Such a capability might deter Hezbollah and its handlers from further actions, knowing that every move could end in another explosion of critical systems. Hezbollah may be angry but that fury aside, perhaps it may now step back from the brink of imminent war.

*Alex Selsky is a senior adviser to the Israel Victory Project and serves on the board of directors of Middle East Forum-Israel. Mr. Selsky currently serves as a reserve major in the IDF Homefront Command emergency information unit. He is also a lecturer at the School of Politics and Journalism at Hadassah Academic College in Jerusalem. Previously, Mr. Selsky served as an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, spokesperson for the Israeli National Economic Council, member of the board of governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel, member of the executive board of the World Zionist Organization, and CEO of the International Israel Beytenu Movement.

He holds a B.A. in Business and an Executive Master of Public Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.