Lebanon is experiencing days of chaos and terror like perhaps not seen since the civil war. A country that for decades has been the battlefield on which the tensions of the Middle East are unleashed. The last act of this drama is marked by the explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militiamen, fatally wounded in a surgical action, planned with a coldness that only modern technological warfare can deploy. The explosive devices, implanted in everyday devices, have caused massacre: over 26 dead and 3,000 wounded, many of whom will remain scarred forever, deprived of their sight and dignity.
Attack and barbarism
The narrative that emerges is that of a war that is becoming increasingly modern in its means and increasingly ancient in its ends. Technological progress, which should lead to a better life, is used to reinforce hatred. The attack, according to local sources, bears the signature of Israel, determined to dismantle Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure, reducing its coordination capacity. But this technological ferocity corresponds to a method that has the bitter taste of the barbarism of the ancient world: striking suddenly, maiming in body and soul, leaving adversaries alive to make them suffer even longer.
Israel’s New War
On September 17, hundreds of pagers exploded simultaneously, throwing Hezbollah into chaos. This was no simple military operation, but a sophisticated cyber attack: the seemingly harmless devices turned out to be bombs ready to detonate. And as if that were not enough, the next day, more explosions hit the group’s walkie-talkies, in the middle of the funeral. This second attack, which occurred during the farewell of Mahdi Ammar, the son of a parliamentarian, further inflamed tempers, fueling the possibility of a direct clash between Hezbollah and Israel.
Israel does not strike randomly. For years it has abandoned conventional operations to embrace a new form of warfare, more sophisticated but no less lethal. The objective is clear: to break the enemy’s communications network, isolate its leaders, leave them disoriented and vulnerable.
Hezbollah and Iran’s Reaction
Hezbollah, as expected, immediately pointed the finger at Israel. The Shiite group’s words were greeted by its supporters as a war cry. But the military response, for now, has been limited: a few rockets fired toward the Israeli border, as if to say “we will not surrender.” Yet, the group’s strategy seems more thoughtful. It’s about buying time, assessing the situation and perhaps coordinating with Tehran.
For Iran, in fact, Hezbollah is not just an ally: it is a fundamental pawn in the Middle Eastern chessboard. If the Islamic Republic decides to respond forcefully, this could mean a dangerous escalation, a new chapter in a war that has never known a truce. It is not excluded that Tehran could mobilize other regional militias, intensifying operations in Syria and Iraq, or increasing direct support for Hezbollah.
Israel and the International Challenge
Israel cannot afford to underestimate Iran and its allies. In recent years, Tel Aviv has refined its strategy of “preventive neutralization,” attacking Hezbollah bases and infrastructure in Syria and elsewhere. The September attacks only confirm this approach. Electronic warfare thus becomes a tool to destabilize enemy communications, reducing the risk of a direct clash, but at the same time increasing the pressure on Hezbollah.
However, Israel’s intervention risks involving other international powers. With Iran’s increasingly marked presence in Syria, Russia and China could try to influence developments in the region, playing their cards to protect their interests. The United States, busy reducing its military presence in the Middle East, could find itself indirectly involved, forced to choose between maintaining a neutral position or defending Israeli allies in the event of an Iranian response.
Lebanon and the Price of War
Lebanon, a country already on its knees due to a devastating economic crisis, is the latest victim of a war that seems to have no end. Hezbollah is a major political player, and its weakening could have devastating consequences for the entire internal balance. The Lebanese government, weak and unable to exercise effective control over the entire territory, risks being trapped in a spiral of violence that could involve regional and international powers. And while politicians are struggling to find solutions, the population continues to pay the highest price.
New geopolitical scenarios
The attacks of September 17 and 18 could mark the beginning of a new phase in the confrontation between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran. The growing importance of electronic warfare in the conflict between Israel and Iranian-sponsored Shiite militias indicates a profound change in the dynamics of the Middle Eastern war. Russia and China, increasingly influential players in the region, could take advantage of this crisis to expand their influence, while the United States, more distant, watches carefully.
Electronic warfare and advanced technologies are becoming central tools in this geopolitical game, but the risk of broader destabilization remains very high. And once again, the Middle East is on the edge of the precipice, with the entire world watching, too passively.