US Senator Bernie Sanders has announced plans to introduce a bill to halt arms sales to Israel, criticising the use of US-supplied weapons in Israel’s recent attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, which have killed over 41,000 people. Sanders argued that using US weapons to cause civilian casualties violates both US and international law. This move has sparked further debate on the role of American military support in the conflict.
On Wednesday, handheld radios used by Hezbollah exploded across southern Lebanon, killing 20 people and injuring over 450, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The explosions, which shook the suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, were the deadliest incidents in the region since cross-border hostilities with Israel resumed almost a year ago. These blasts followed a similar attack the previous day, in which Hezbollah pagers exploded, killing 12 people, including two children, and injuring nearly 3,000.
While Israeli officials have not yet commented officially on the attacks, security sources suggest Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, orchestrated the operation. A senior Hezbollah official described the incident as the most severe security breach in the organisation’s history, leaving the group in disarray. These explosions have heightened fears of further escalation along Israel’s northern border, raising the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
Israel’s Chief of Staff Hayzi Halevi confirmed the approval of new offensive and defensive strategies for the northern theatre, stating that “the cost to Hezbollah must be high at every stage”. Gallant echoed these sentiments, announcing that Israel is now redeploying military resources to its northern border, including troops from the 98th Division, previously stationed in Gaza.
In response, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli artillery positions—the first such strike since the explosions. While the Israeli military reported no casualties or damage, the move underscores the growing tensions. Analysts warn that although Hezbollah may not seek a full-scale war, the scale of the recent attacks could push the group towards a more forceful response.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the escalating violence in Lebanon. The meeting, requested by Algeria, is expected to address the wider implications of Israel’s actions and the risk of a broader conflict.
The latest escalation began when Israeli intelligence agents remotely detonated explosives hidden in a shipment of 5,000 pagers ordered by Hezbollah. This attack, which took place on Tuesday, was followed by further detonations of Hezbollah communications equipment across Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. These operations are linked to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has intensified over the past 11 months.
