Israelis blow up Hezbollah pagers in ‘mission impossible’

Politicians and pundits alike are hailing the technological spycraft that enabled Israel to blow up the pagers and walkie-talkies of thousands of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. It killed scores and injured thousands. But listening to their shock and awe, you’d be forgiven for thinking Israel’s real aim was to distract from its war crimes in Gaza.

There’s no denying that this caper played out like a script from Mission Impossible. It has everyone, from fellow spies to ordinary people, wondering how Israel did it.

But I’m all too mindful that the same Israel that pulled off these surgical hits has spent the past year bombing Gaza to smithereens, killing tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. That’s why the praise it’s getting today reeks of calculated misdirection – with Netanyahu, the magician, pulling off an epic bait-and-switch.

From Gaza to Lebanon, Israel stoking regional war

It’s telling that Hezbollah responded to these “acts of war” by declaring that, if Israel agrees, it would honor a regional cease-fire. Because here’s how the Israeli defense minister greeted this plea for peace:

We are opening a new phase in the war. It requires courage, determination, and perseverance from us.

In other words, Israel is doing in Lebanon exactly what Netanyahu intended from day one: fomenting a regional war. Peace with the Palestinians, normalization with the Saudis, and even the release of Israeli hostages be damned. This is why Israelis are engaged in sustained protests against his government. Indeed, it’s arguable that most Israelis believe getting rid of Netanyahu is more important than defeating what remains of Hamas.

Netanyahu’s intent

Lest we forget, Netanyahu’s treachery is such that he propped up Hamas. Now he has Israel on a pyrrhic mission to kill this Frankenstein.

But I cannot overstate that his intent is to trigger a regional war. This diabolical SOB is convinced US support would ensure victory. And he’s betting that would make him a war hero who can serve as prime minister for life, not just another crooked politician serving life in prison.