'Disguises, spraying poisons': Crazy operations allegedly carried out by Israel
A series of explosions involving pagers and walkie-talkies have rocked Lebanon. On Wednesday, walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah detonated in Beirut, Lebanon, killing at least 20 people and wounding 450 others. Before the walkie-talkie explosions, pager blasts killed at least 12 people and injured thousands across the country. Lebanon has accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks, though the latter has neither confirmed nor denied it.
Investigation underway into mysterious pager explosions
In the past, former members of Israel's intelligence agencies, Mossad and Shin Bet, had disclosed details about assassinations requiring high levels of technical or operational ingenuity. These revelations have led some to speculate about possible Israeli involvement in the recent sabotage incidents, given the infamous reputation of Israel's covert operations that mostly involve the Shin Bet and Mossad.
Shin Bet's deadly phone call: A look back at 1996
In 1996, Israel's internal security service Shin Bet used a mobile phone rigged with explosives to assassinate Yahya Ayyash, a renowned bombmaker from Hamas known as "the Engineer." The lethal device was handed over to Ayyash by a Palestinian intermediary under the guise of receiving a call from his father. Once Israeli agents confirmed it was indeed Ayyash on the line, they remotely detonated the phone, causing fatal head injuries.
Failed assassination attempt on Hamas chief in 1997
Following a series of suicide bombings by Hamas in 1997, then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the assassination of Khaled Mashaal, the Palestinian Islamist group's politburo chief. Two undercover Mossad agents attempted to poison Mashaal in Amman, Jordan, by spraying a toxic substance onto his neck. The agents tried to disguise their actions with a pre-shaken can of Coca-Cola. However, their plot was foiled when Mashaal's daughter chased after him, alerting an aide who spotted the would-be assassins.
Mysterious death of Hamas arms dealer in 2010
In 2010, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a known international arms procurer for Hamas, was found dead in his hotel room in Dubai. Initially ruled as death by natural causes, the case was reopened after accusations from the Gaza-based Palestinian group pointed toward Israel's involvement. A subsequent investigation revealed CCTV footage of a Mossad hit team, disguised as tennis-playing tourists and businesspeople. The autopsy report later confirmed that Mabhouh had been sedated and smothered.
Series of attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists 2010-2020
Between 2010 and 2020, approximately half a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists were either killed or injured in gun attacks or explosions. These incidents were largely attributed to Israel by Iranian authorities. Most of the attacks involved magnetized bombs attached to vehicles by passing motorcyclists, as reported by Iranian state media. While Israel has not confirmed its involvement, officials have acknowledged an ongoing shadow war with Iran. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett later claimed responsibility for a similar assassination in Tehran in 2022.
