Ex-Defense Minister Reveals Covert Israeli Operation Against Hezbollah Over Pager Intel

Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz revealed in an interview published Tuesday that Israel assassinated a Hezbollah operative in August 2024 who was suspected of uncovering information about Israeli pagers. The operation was conducted covertly, with the operative's elimination disguised.

According to Gantz, the Hezbollah operative had become suspicious of the pagers, which were later found to be compromised. Israel's response involved not only the assassination but also the detonation of Iranian testing devices, suggesting a broader effort to neutralize the threat and cover up the intelligence breach.

Gantz described the situation as presenting a difficult dilemma for decision-makers, implying a complex strategic calculation was involved in authorizing the operation. The details of the operation and its cover-up were kept secret until Gantz's recent disclosure.

The incident highlights the ongoing clandestine conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly concerning intelligence gathering and counter-intelligence operations. The use of pagers as a potential intelligence vector and the subsequent covert actions underscore the sophisticated and often hidden nature of these confrontations.