Live updates: Hezbollah hit by wave of exploding pagers in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least 8
Associated PressSep 24
Hezbollah: Attacks Will End When Gaza War Ends
Above: People watch on a television screen Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as he addresses the nation via video link, at a cafe in the Shiyah neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on Sept. 19, 2024. Image copyright: Anwar Amro/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
After pagers and hand-held radios used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday and Wednesday, the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech on Thursday that the only way for Israel to return displaced civilians to their homes in the north is to end its campaign in Gaza.
Nasrallah admitted that the attacks — which killed over 30 people and wounded thousands — were a "painful blow" but vowed to keep fighting. Israeli jets flew low over Beirut and broke the sound barrier while Nasrallah was delivering the speech.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the pager attack was a precise operation, any escalation in the region is counterproductive to cease-fire negotiations and the freeing of Israeli hostages. Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorist threats, but it's paramount that the country's leadership prioritizes de-escalation. The US was not aware of the pager attack and will continue to work with mediators to reach a deal.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though Israel has not taken credit for this well-planned operation, it should demonstrate to Hezbollah and its patrons in Tehran that it cannot withstand an Israeli assault. The group's highly-trained and well-equipped ranks have been thrown into chaos, and its vulnerability has never been so clear. Hezbollah should end its terrorist attacks on Israel if it seeks to protect Lebanon.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel continues to isolate itself internationally due to its genocidal campaign in Gaza and its insidious aggression against Lebanon. As Israeli attacks kill thousands, the US continues to shield Israel from accountability and ensure that it is armed to the teeth. This war will only end when the US ends its support for Israel's genocidal ambitions in Gaza and the wider region.
Narrative D
This attack against Lebanon is a clear example of Israeli terrorism in the region and its disregard for human life. Both Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah will investigate the security failures that led to this attack, and a response is guaranteed. Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.