Deadly blow with potatoes may only be the first hit for Hezbollah

tel aviv - Hezbollah vows revenge after thousands of potatoes explode in Lebanon at the same time. But the problems may just be starting for the terrorist group.

There is no doubt about who was behind the attack, although Israel remains silent. With the press of a button, the country not only dealt a heavy blow to Hezbollah, crippling their internal communication, but also caused massive chaos in Lebanon.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of people with blown-off hands and torn legs. Fear has gripped the Lebanese people, who were shocked by simultaneous explosions around half past three in the afternoon. Hezbollah members collapsed everywhere, at markets, barber shops, and in traffic.

According to the Health Minister, nearly 3000 were injured, with 200 in critical condition. The Iranian ambassador in Lebanon was slightly injured. Nine people died, including an eight-year-old girl. There were also reports of casualties in a Shiite stronghold in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Hezbollah wonders how Israel could strike on such a large scale, but analysts in Israel also have questions. Why use this weapon now, typically used at the start of a major offensive? Or is one coming soon? Israel has been hinting at it for days.

At any rate, the archenemy is significantly weakened. Thousands of terrorists are no longer available for combat should war break out. Several senior officials of the movement sustained severe injuries, but leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly emerged unscathed.

The Lebanese government is furious, calling the attack a violation of the country's sovereignty. They are taking the matter to the UN Security Council. However, the government has no say in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, where Hezbollah holds the strongest military power in the country.

Israel expects a strong response from Hezbollah. Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, military commanders, and senior officials from various security services met in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to prepare for a retaliatory strike.

So far, there are no special security measures in place for the population, although several municipalities in the north of the country have advised residents to stay close to a bomb shelter. Israel will also keep an eye on Iran, which still plans to attack Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on their territory.

Israel has recently conducted several remarkable operations against its enemies to restore its deterrence that had been severely damaged on October 7. However, Tuesday's attack surpasses all imagination. There are still many questions about how the potatoes were all detonated simultaneously.

Hezbollah has relied on simple potatoes for its internal communication for years, fearing that mobile phones could easily be hacked. Experts doubt a cyberattack, where the battery is exploded, as unlikely. It is most likely that Israel managed to place explosives in the devices before they were delivered to Hezbollah in recent months.

Israel and the Lebanese terrorist group have been on the brink of war for months, with increasing signs from Israel in recent days suggesting serious consideration of a major military operation in the near future. The main goal is to allow tens of thousands of civilians, who fled after Hezbollah's rocket attacks on October 8, to return to their homes in the border area with Lebanon.

This likely means Israel will have to enter southern Lebanon to create a buffer zone. The United States is trying to deter its ally from doing so, but a mission by Joe Biden's special envoy this week made no progress. America fears a major regional war, especially so close to the presidential elections.

Hezbollah has a massive arsenal of rockets and reportedly was close last month to firing a series of missiles at the headquarters of Mossad and other security services. Israel prevented it with a preemptive strike hitting hundreds of targets. Hezbollah did fire some missiles, but a major war outbreak was narrowly averted.

The big question is whether the same could be achieved this time. Hezbollah will need to respond strongly. Israeli intelligence has observed the movement's preparations for a major confrontation with Israel in southern Lebanon in recent weeks. Additionally, on Tuesday, the Shin Bet intelligence agency disclosed that Hezbollah was about to kill a senior former security official in Israel. Shortly after, thousands of potatoes exploded across Lebanon.