Israeli officials informed the US about an upcoming operation in Lebanon on Tuesday without disclosing specific details, leading to a sense of uncertainty among American officials. The operation, which involved hundreds of exploding pagers, was later revealed to be a joint effort between Israel's Mossad intelligence service and military. The Lebanese government swiftly condemned the attack as 'criminal Israeli aggression,' further escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
The aftermath of the operation saw a fresh wave of explosions in Lebanon on Wednesday, with the responsible party remaining unclear. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, en route to Cairo at the time, was caught off guard by the unfolding events, emphasizing that the US had no prior knowledge or involvement in the incidents.
In an effort to prevent further escalation, the US communicated through back channels to Iran that they were not behind the attack and urged restraint. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon was reportedly injured in the explosions, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in discussions following the operation, although details of their conversations were not disclosed. The White House reiterated that the US was not informed about the specifics of the exploding pagers in advance, underscoring the ambiguity surrounding the initial notification from Israel.
Israel's actions in Lebanon, particularly in response to Hezbollah activities, have been a recurring theme over the past year. The ongoing cycle of retaliatory strikes and targeted operations has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.
