The means of communication used by members of the Lebanese extremist organization Hezbollah has exploded again in various parts of Lebanon.
19:17•Updated 19:18
New attacks have been carried out in Lebanon on Wednesday, in which radio telephones have been blown up in several places in the capital Beirut and elsewhere in the country. According to initial reports, at least nine have died and hundreds have been injured.
– This is a hugely extensive attack. I can’t tell if this is the same attack as yesterday Tuesday, and the devices wouldn’t have been activated yesterday, or if it’s a second wave. It’s impossible to know, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies Hannu Juusola The University of Helsinki gave an assessment to by phone shortly after the attack.
– The blows are shocking in their brutality. When it comes to devices that explode, there is no guarantee in whose hands they will explode.
For the second day in a row, Lebanon and the extremist organization Hezbollah are being targeted by a large-scale attack. Hezbollah and the international community believe that Israel was behind yesterday’s attacks. According to Juusola, there may be more attacks.
– There is a fear in Lebanon that Israel will conduct a larger military operation in the near future. First it paralyzes Hezbollah’s system and creates chaos, and then it does a big operation.
Juusola considers Israel’s behavior in recent days to be very aggressive.
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– This was also a humiliation for the United States, because their responsible for Lebanon’s affairs Amos Hochstein just visited Israel and sought to put pressure on Israel to prevent the conflict from expanding. Right after that, Israel decided to act like this, Juusola points out.
– It says that the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu the government does not listen to the United States, and does not feel pressure that what the Americans say should be taken into account.
According to Juusola, Israel does not care about European opinions either.
– We have given Israel such a position that it can do whatever it wants without being ultimately responsible for it.
Juusola estimates that Israel is deliberately and forcefully escalating the conflict in the Middle East.
He wonders what Israel is aiming for by humiliating Hezbollah. Civilian casualties may increase Lebanese sympathy for the extremist organization. Attacks target everyone, not just Hezbollah.
– In Lebanon, it is suspected that this is aimed at provoking and creating a reaction so that Hezbollah would strike deeper into Israel. It could be used as justification for an even wider strike.
– It is a big question mark whether this type of goal is behind it and whether Hezbollah will fall into this possible trap, Juusola says.
The widening of the conflict could turn public opinion in Israel, where Prime Minister Netanyahu’s support has waned as the Gaza war drags on and Hamas kills Israeli hostages.
– It would not benefit Israel, but it could benefit Prime Minister Netanyahu.