Israel and Hezbollah: The strange war of booby-trapped walkie-talkies
In September 2023, as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was in full swing, an unusual weapon appeared: explosive walkie-talkies. Although largely unknown to the general public, these devices were designed to sow chaos within enemy ranks. Their strategic use has sparked debate within the Israeli security apparatus, with some believing they could have changed the course of the war from the start.
According to sources close to the intelligence services, one scenario envisaged the elimination of thousands of Hezbollah fighters in a single, potentially decisive strike. However, despite the destructive potential of walkie-talkies, Israel has chosen to favor other booby-trapped weapons, the famous “beeps”, whose effectiveness has finally been proven on the ground.
Internal debates within the Israeli army were intense. Some senior military officials were calling for a massive strike as early as October 11, 2023, believing that this could have shortened the conflict and dissuaded other regional actors, such as Iran and the Houthis, from getting involved. Others, more cautious, feared uncontrollable side effects.
Ultimately, Israel opted for a gradual approach, using “beeps” on September 17, 2024. This decision was based on strategic considerations: walkie-talkies required perfect operational conditions to be fully effective, while “beeps” offered superior flexibility of use, even outside periods of intense conflict.
The results were not long in coming. The “beep” blasts weakened Hezbollah by directly hitting its infrastructure and key commanders. Ibrahim Aqil, head of Hezbollah's special forces, along with several of his lieutenants, were killed, temporarily destabilizing the organization's chain of command.
This offensive paved the way for a series of coordinated attacks that allowed Israel to regain the advantage, while avoiding uncontrolled escalation. Despite this, the questions remain: Would it have been possible to conclude the war earlier using walkie-talkies?
With hindsight, some analysts believe that the option of walkie-talkies could have been decisive as early as 2023. However, others point out that their premature use could have caused unpredictable chain reactions, risking igniting the entire region.
This dilemma illustrates the complexity of military choices in times of war: between immediate effectiveness and long-term risk management, Israel has chosen caution. The debate on this strategic decision remains open, and it will be up to historians to decide whether the “beeps” bet was the right one.
In any case, this war has highlighted the importance of technological innovations in modern conflicts, where each choice, even the most seemingly insignificant, can have major consequences on the outcome of combat.
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