This article has been updated to include additional details.

Lebanon has experienced a novel form of violence: a large-scale sabotage of electronic devices triggered remotely.

Explosives concealed within pagers and walkie-talkies detonated while users were in various public places, such as their homes, supermarkets, and buses. At least 37 individuals, including two children, lost their lives, and thousands more were injured in two rounds of attacks this week. Both Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, an Iran-supported group operating out of Lebanon, have pointed fingers at Israel. While Israel hasn’t directly taken responsibility for these assaults, anyone familiar with Middle Eastern affairs can infer that this operation likely originated from Tel Aviv.

On Friday, Israel reportedly carried out an airstrike that killed Ibrahim Aqil, a senior commander of Hezbollah, in Beirut. Israeli officials later reported that Hezbollah retaliated by launching numerous rockets into northern Israel.

Sabotage has always been a part of warfare. However, the ethics and legality of turning pagers into weapons are highly debatable, not to mention its overall effectiveness.

Using pagers as explosives inevitably leads to considerable collateral damage. The devices were owned not only by Hezbollah militants but also by medical personnel and civilians.

As an American citizen, my tax dollars support Israel

Previously, when Israel focused on specific cell phone targets—like the elimination of a bomb maker linked to Hamas—it seemed a more effective way to combat terrorism with a lower risk of civilian casualties, as opposed to a missile strike on residential areas. However, this latest incident has terrified the entire nation of Lebanon. Its healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with victims of the bombings, and some citizens are expressing fear reminiscent of the tragic aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Hezbollah is allied with Hamas, both of which show little mercy towards Israeli civilians, including children. My perspective on their methods is clear. However, I do not provide financial or political support to either Hamas or Hezbollah.

As an American taxpayer, my financial supports Israel. If they are responsible for the deaths of Lebanese children, then I bear some responsibility.

But how does this help Israel? Is it reasonable to think Hezbollah will come to the conclusion, “We had no idea Israel was this dangerous, perhaps we should talk”? This cyber operation has merely stung the hornet’s nest and taken out a few militants; that’s all it has achieved.

Yes, Hezbollah’s internal communications have been severely impacted, at least for now. Yet, this approach is only inciting anger toward Israel throughout various segments of Lebanese society and indeed, the broader Arab world. Iraq is extending medical aid to Lebanon, while Egypt displays its solidarity.

Will it make it easier or harder for Hezbollah to recruit new members? While the attacks eliminated some fighters, there will always be multiple replacements ready to step in.

Hezbollah remains a formidable challenge for Israel. Being a non-state actor, it boasts military capabilities far outstripping those of the Lebanese national army. A Lebanese government minister once told me he believed Hezbollah could defeat the Lebanese army within a week.

Additionally, Hezbollah is supported by Iran and continues to receive increasingly advanced weaponry. In comparison to Hamas, Hezbollah has consistently been a more potent military force.

Long-term effects may harm Israel

In the long run, Israel’s hope for tranquility with Lebanon hinges on bringing Hezbollah under the control of Beirut’s political authority and forming a coalition among Sunni, Druze, Christian, and moderate Shiite leaders to achieve peace with Israel.

This vision, though aspirational, represents the only practical path to resolve the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel constructively.

However, the cyber attack has likely delayed this outcome by several years. Is causing widespread sabotage of devices as severe as a Hamas bus bombing that indiscriminately targets Israelis? Not necessarily, but Israel should reflect on its history. When bus bombings left chaos and carnage in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the resultant devastation undermined the Israeli left, the faction actively advocating for peace and a potential two-state solution. These events led to a unified national response favoring harsher measures against Palestinians.

They galvanized Israel’s resolve to keep fighting.

This same phenomenon is emerging in Lebanon, where even Hezbollah’s strongest critics are beginning to rally behind them.

This situation will likely lead more Americans to question whether we should continue to be such unwavering supporters of a country that employs strategies that instill fear across an entire nation, resulting in the tragic loss and injury of innocent children.

Jeremy Mayer serves as an associate professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, where he oversees the master’s and Ph.D. programs in political science.