The extraordinary 17 September pager attack in Lebanon, followed by today’s walkie-talkie attack, constitute the biggest security breach that Hezbollah has encountered in its history. The attacks – widely attributed to Israel’s Mossad agency though not yet officially claimed by Israel – present a serious dilemma for Hezbollah. They add to the pressure on the group to retaliate against Israel but at the same time severely limit its military options. The attacks also deal a blow to Hezbollah’s morale and credibility as an armed group purporting to possess high security standards.
Hezbollah can no longer claim to be impenetrable when it comes to its security. For decades, the group presented observing secrecy in its operations and communications network as necessary for its role in supporting Lebanon’s defence. This is why it insisted on having a telecommunications network that is completely separate from the national grid. It is also why Hezbollah defended its clandestine activities in Beirut’s port and airport. It has been importing and exporting goods through those public facilities as well as across Lebanon’s border with Syria without any supervision or intervention by Lebanon’s state authorities.
