Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant gave brief comments to reporters at an Israeli Air Force base Wednesday, complimenting Mossad and the country’s defense establishment for “great accomplishments” without explicitly taking credit for the pager and two-way radio attacks aimed at Hezbollah assets that have rocked Lebanon for the past two days.
Gallant also advised that the attacks were part of a shift in Israel’s strategy to wipe out Hamas and its allies who participated in the October 7 massacre, saying:
“The center of gravity is shifting northward, meaning that we are increasingly diverting forces, resources, and energy towards the North.
“This operation is being carried out by all the bodies, and the mission is clear and simple – to return the residents of the northern communities to their homes safely.”
A first wave of attacks on Hezbollah assets in the Middle East occurred Tuesday, when thousands of Hezbollah-issued pagers detonated simultaneously. The second wave hit Wednesday, when walkie-talkies and, reportedly, other electronics detonated. The attacks have caused chaos and fear in Lebanon, setting the stage for Israeli forces to secure areas in the north to ensure the safety of its citizens. At press time, it’s being reported that residents in northern Israel are seeing a significant movement of Israeli military forces, including tanks and artillery, toward the border with Lebanon.
