Netanyahu Confirms Pager Attack, Aligns with Trump on Iran

Israel has, for the first time, confirmed its involvement in a September operation that detonated hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

On Sunday, Israeli media reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informing his cabinet about the mission, known as the “beeper operation,” which targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah despite opposition from some senior security officials. An Israeli official later confirmed Netanyahu’s remarks to CNN, marking the first acknowledgment of Israel’s role in the incident.

The decision to brief Israeli media on Netanyahu’s comments—thereby confirming Israel’s involvement—appears to add another layer to the political tensions within Israel. Media coverage interpreted Netanyahu’s statement as indirect criticism of Israel’s military and intelligence leadership, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed earlier that week.

Israel’s government currently faces multiple criminal investigations, including alleged leaks of falsified intelligence to international media. The Prime Minister’s Office denies any wrongdoing.

On September 17, multiple explosions targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon, affecting both their pagers and walkie-talkies the following day. According to Lebanese health authorities, at least 37 people, including children, were killed, and nearly 3,000, many of them civilians, were injured in the blasts.

On September 18, Gallant, while visiting an air force base, seemed to hint at Israel’s involvement, praising the “excellent achievements” of the Israeli Defense Forces, Shin Bet, and Mossad.

The timing of this acknowledgment coincides with Netanyahu’s recent discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Ahead of a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu noted three recent conversations with Trump, describing them as “very good and very important” for solidifying the alliance between Israel and the United States. Netanyahu highlighted shared views on the threat from Iran and anticipated opportunities for Israel, including peace efforts and expansion in other areas.

Netanyahu also addressed a recent incident in the Netherlands, where Israeli soccer fans faced antisemitic abuse and violence. He asserted that Israel would resist both antisemitism and terrorism, drawing a connection between recent antisemitic attacks against Israelis in the Netherlands and a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were sought on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He affirmed Israel’s commitment to defending its citizens and interests, particularly against the threat posed by Iran.

In response to recent attacks in Amsterdam, Israel issued a warning to its citizens, advising them to avoid attending international events involving Israelis. Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) warned of potential threats targeting Israelis and Jews at public gatherings, including sporting and cultural events, particularly in Belgium, the United Kingdom, and France.

The advisory specifically urged Israelis to avoid the upcoming France-Israel soccer match in Paris and advised extra caution regarding visible Israeli or Jewish symbols in public settings.