Mon Dec 23 07:51:10 UTC 2024: ## Israeli Intelligence Agents Reveal Decade-Long Operation Targeting Hezbollah

**Washington, Dec. 23, 2024** – Two anonymous retired Israeli intelligence agents have revealed details of a decade-long covert operation targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Syria. The operation, detailed in a CBS “60 Minutes” interview Sunday, involved booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies, culminating in a deadly attack three months ago.

The agents, identified only as “Michael” and “Gabriel,” described a meticulously planned operation. Beginning ten years ago, the Mossad allegedly sold Hezbollah walkie-talkies rigged with explosives. A second phase, initiated in 2022, involved modified pagers purchased by Hezbollah from a Taiwanese company. The Mossad used shell companies and deceptive marketing tactics, including YouTube advertisements, to facilitate the sale of the modified devices without arousing suspicion.

By September, Hezbollah militants possessed approximately 5,000 of these booby-trapped pagers. On September 17th, the pagers were remotely activated, causing explosions across Lebanon. The following day, the rigged walkie-talkies were detonated, some at funerals for victims of the pager attacks. The agents claim the operation aimed to send a message of Israeli dominance, rather than solely focusing on the number of casualties.

The attacks triggered retaliatory strikes by Hezbollah, escalating into a war with Israel that ended in November with a ceasefire. The conflict, a byproduct of the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack, resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides. The agents reported widespread fear in Lebanon following the attacks, with citizens even hesitant to use their air conditioners. They also asserted that the Mossad has already moved on to new strategies. The interview concluded with the agents highlighting the long-term psychological impact of the operation, stating that the surviving militants serve as a constant reminder of Israel’s capabilities. The reported assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah further underscored the operation’s impact.

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