Strange Calls Precede Israeli Attacks in Lebanon

Residents in southern Lebanon have been experiencing unusual phone calls, often from local numbers and individuals speaking with Lebanese accents, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war more than three months ago. These callers, who claim to be conducting surveys, distributing aid, or representing public bodies, inquire about the locations and movements of families. These calls often precede Israeli attacks on the areas in question, as reported by locals to AFP.

Lebanese security officials and Hezbollah suspect that these calls are actually being made by Israelis. For instance, Umm Hussein from the village of Khiam received a call from “the bank,” inviting her to collect money from a local branch. However, her grandson, Hassan Shukeir, noted that Umm Hussein doesn’t have a bank account. The call ended abruptly when she mentioned being in Beirut. Shortly afterward, an Israeli strike targeted a house adjacent to hers in Khiam.

Such incidents have become frequent across southern Lebanon, an area from where Hezbollah has been launching daily attacks against Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Following these incidents, Hezbollah has advised locals against sharing information with unrecognized Lebanese numbers, suspecting Israeli exploitation of this data to target Hezbollah fighters.

Lebanese army intelligence and police are investigating these calls, believing them to originate from Israel, indicating a breach in Lebanon’s communications network. This technique, according to a security source, has been previously used by Israel to target Hezbollah members.

In one notable incident on November 22, a strike in the village of Beit Yahoun killed five Hezbollah members, including the son of Mohammed Raad, leader of the party’s parliamentary bloc. Prior to the attack, an unidentified caller had inquired if the owner of the house and her family were present.

The Israeli military, when queried about the calls, declined to confirm or deny involvement. Hezbollah also claims that Israel has hacked security cameras in homes and businesses near the border, using this access to target their fighters. In response, Hezbollah has urged citizens to disconnect their cameras from the internet.

Three individuals have been arrested on suspicions of aiding Israel-affiliated companies, with one accused of scanning for Wi-Fi networks in Hezbollah-dominated areas in southern Beirut.

Abed Kataya from SMEX, a digital rights group, highlighted the vulnerability of Lebanon’s communication networks and CCTV cameras, which lack essential security measures and are easily hackable due to unencrypted internet connections.

This series of incidents also includes a cyberattack on Beirut airport on January 7, displaying anti-Hezbollah messages on departure and arrival screens and halting baggage conveyors. The identity of the hackers remains unknown, with Lebanon’s Public Works and Transportation Minister acknowledging the country’s deficiency in cybersecurity expertise.