Inside Israel's clandestine operation against Hezbollah, known for its deadly sophistication, two former senior Mossad agents revealed how they cunningly deployed exploding pagers and walkie-talkies to strike fear and assert dominance over the Iranian-backed group.
The agents, using the aliases Michael and Gabriel, discussed the operation during a September interview on CBS's '60 Minutes.' The mission, stretching over the last decade, escalated dangerously after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The Mossad's innovative tactic aimed not only to inflict harm but also to send Hezbollah a clear message about Israel's military prowess.
According to Michael, the operation sought to create "a pretend world" where Hezbollah, oblivious to the reality of their purchases, unwittingly bought thousands of rigged devices. Initially, the plan began with walkie-talkies embedded with explosives, which Hezbollah mistakenly believed were ordinary communication devices. The idea, as per Gabriel, was simple yet devilishly clever: inflict pain, not just death. "If he’s just dead, so he’s dead. But if he’s wounded... you need to invest money and effort," he explained.
The operation's execution involved extensive planning, from crafting deceptive marketing to recruiting shell companies as cover. The duo described how they managed to convince Hezbollah to switch to bulkier pagers under the guise of superior technology. They produced fake advertisements depicting the pagers as waterproof and dustproof to entice the militants, successfully persuading Hezbollah to order 5,000 units.
Once the pagers were distributed, the Mossad executed the next phase: on September 17, 2023, at 3:30 p.m., they activated all pagers, which began beeping ominously throughout Lebanon. The resulting chaos was unlike any other; the devices detonated with the intent of injuring, not killing, as they exploded regardless of whether they were activated. This method ensured greater psychological warfare against Hezbollah, said Michael, who noted, "There is real fear," emphasizing the anxiety spread among militants and civilians alike.
The haunting echo of explosions lingered as Hezbollah mourned the losses of its operatives, with some blasts occurring at funerals attended by militants. Approximately 30 fatalities were recorded during the explosions, with about 3,000 injuries, including children. The sheer terror instilled by these events significantly altered the perception of safety within Lebanon. Gabriel articulated this dynamic saying, "We want them to feel vulnerable, which they are."
The Mossad's operation culminated with airstrikes across Lebanon as retaliation, resulting in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah amid the chaos. The air attacks by Israel, combined with the pager explosions, effectively marked the end of the conflict, leading to a ceasefire by the end of November 2023.
This clandestine operation not only showcased the lengths to which Israel would go to protect its interests but also reshaped the strategic dynamics of the region. Michael and Gabriel's revelations on national television put the spotlight on the inner workings of Mossad's intelligence and operational prowess, hinting at their future tactics to remain one step ahead of their adversaries.
The layered nature of deception, as illustrated by how the devices were ingeniously crafted to limit collateral damage, reflects the careful consideration Mossad applied throughout. Gabriel stated, "When they are buying from us, they have zero clue...everything is normal. Everything was 100% kosher," illustrating the depth of the agents' psychological operations.
Closing this chapter, the ex-Mossad agents left the world with stark reflections on the potential of future operations, hinting they will not reveal their next moves. The message is clear: paying heed is imperative for those who challenge Israel's sovereignty as they continue to master the art of indirect war. This could very well shape how conflicts play out across the Middle East moving forward.
