Did the pager operation change the Middle East? - opinion
An opinion piece argues that Israel's 2024 pager operation against Hezbollah fundamentally changed the Middle East by restoring Israeli deterrence and crippling Hezbollah's capabilities, but warns the organization is rebuilding and the change must be preserved through sustained policy.
An opinion piece by Sarit Zehavi argues that Israel's 2024 pager operation against Hezbollah unequivocally changed the Middle East, but the story is complex. The operation had two main achievements: psychological and operational. Psychologically, it restored Israel's standing as a security power capable of unimaginable operations after October 7, rebuilding Israeli trust in the security establishment. Operationally, thousands of Hezbollah operatives were injured, and the Radwan Force's chain of command was hit when Ibrahim Aqil was eliminated along with 14 commanders three days later. This blow neutralized capabilities developed over years for invasion plans and made IDF operations in southern Lebanon easier. The piece argues the operation, along with the elimination of Hezbollah's leadership and strikes against Iran, formed a chain of events that changed the Middle East, including creating timing for Ahmed al-Sharaa's revolution in Syria. However, Hezbollah has not disappeared. According to Alma Center assessments, it still possesses approximately 15,000 rockets and missiles and continues investing in drone capabilities. It is recruiting, training, and smuggling weapons from Syria. The piece warns that the change must be preserved through consistent policy of uprooting terrorist organizations, led by Israel with local and international actors.