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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militia, took a significant turn with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent admission of responsibility for deadly attacks targeting Hezbollah members. This revelation marked a departure from Israel's previous stance of neither confirming nor denying involvement in the operations. The attacks, which occurred on September 16 and 17, involved sophisticated tactics utilizing pagers and walkie-talkies loaded with explosives, leading to at least 39 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries. The scale and precision of the attacks highlighted the advanced capabilities of Israeli intelligence.
Netanyahu’s public acknowledgement of Israel’s role in these operations came during a Cabinet meeting and was met with significant attention from the international community. His statement, which was reported by The Times of Israel, claimed that the attacks were executed despite opposition from certain senior officials within the defence establishment and the political echelon. This revelation raises questions about the internal dynamics within the Israeli government and the extent to which Netanyahu operated independently in authorizing these strikes.
The timing of Netanyahu’s admission coincided with the dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who was relieved of his duties on November 5. The two leaders had a history of strained relations, marked by repeated clashes during their shared tenure in government. Netanyahu’s prior attempt to remove Gallant in March 2023, following Gallant’s opposition to a controversial judicial overhaul plan, had led to widespread protests that forced Netanyahu to reinstate him. The recent dismissal has further amplified the perception of a power struggle between the two figures, with Gallant alleging that his removal was motivated by disagreements over key issues such as military conscription, hostage rescue, and the investigation into the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2022.
While Netanyahu has attributed the security lapses during the Hamas assault to Israel’s security agencies and resisted calls for a public inquiry, Gallant has maintained that his dismissal stemmed from these very disagreements. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, coupled with the recent internal power struggles within the Israeli government, present a complex and volatile situation. The international community is closely watching the developments, with concerns about the potential for escalating tensions in the region. The future of this conflict remains uncertain, with the potential for further clashes and strategic maneuvers from both sides.
Source: Israeli PM Netanyahu admits he ordered pager, walkie-talkie attacks on Hezbollah