Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a ceremony marking the commemoration of the Holocaust at the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem, May 6, 2024. (Credit: Stock photo Amir Cohen/AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged on Sunday that Israel was responsible for the coordinated explosions of Hezbollah members' communication devices on September 17 and 18, which killed dozens across Lebanon, according to Israeli news agencies Yedioth Ahronoth and the Times of Israel.
This is the first time that Israel officially claims responsibility for the attack, which killed at least 40, including a child, and injured over 2,900 others. Lebanon has since filed multiple complaints with the U.N. over the attacks.
Speaking at the opening of his government’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu also confirmed Israel’s responsibility for the assassination of Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog had previously denied that Israel was involved in the attacks on Hezbollah’s booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies.
"I reject out of hand any connection to this or that source of operation," he stated, in a morning interview with Sky News' Trevor Phillips, adding that Hezbollah has "many enemies."
Renewed criticism of Gallant
Netanyahu’s comments came at the first cabinet meeting since Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s dismissal and his replacement with former Foreign Minister Israel Katz. The decision drew criticism, with some arguing that Katz "lacks military and defense policy experience despite Israel being at war," according to Yedioth Ahronoth. Additionally, thousands of Israelis protested Gallant's dismissal.
Addressing his ministers, Netanyahu implied Gallant "opposed" Israeli operations against Hezbollah, while the prime minister had insisted and pushed for these strikes.
"The pager operation and the elimination of Nasrallah were carried out despite the opposition of senior officials in the defense establishment and those responsible for them in the political echelon," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu added that he was facing a "false media campaign" and claimed that Hamas had “increased its demands for a cease-fire and hostage release,” following the killing of six Israeli hostages in September.