Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing backlash over her comments condemning Israel’s recent strikes on Hezbollah’s communication devices.
At a Glance
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for an investigation into U.S. involvement in Israel’s explosion of Hezbollah’s pagers.
- Ocasio-Cortez claims the attack violates international humanitarian law.
- The attack involved planting explosives in 5,000 pagers used by Hezbollah.
- Hezbollah communications were targeted, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Backlash Over Comments on Israel’s Action
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is under fire for critiquing Israel’s recent attack on Hezbollah’s communication tools. Characterizing the strike as a breach of international law and attributing civilian suffering to it, Ocasio-Cortez has faced strong opposition. Prominent figures such as Chris Cuomo and Ben Shapiro have defended the military action as a necessary and efficient counter-terrorism measure with minimal civilian casualties.
Ocasio-Cortez’s critique included a demand for a thorough investigation into whether U.S. resources were involved in the operation. She emphasized that the attack undermines U.S. efforts to prevent broader conflict, suggesting that it violated international humanitarian law.
Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across of a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians.
This attack clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a…
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 18, 2024
Details of the Attack
The attack by Israel involved Mossad planting explosives in 5,000 pagers imported by Hezbollah. When detonated, these devices led to multiple casualties. Reports indicate that on September 17, simultaneous detonations resulted in 12 deaths and numerous injuries. This was followed by another attack on September 18 involving walkie-talkies, which killed 25 Hezbollah operatives and injured 450.
“Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any U.S. assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology,” she added.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded by stating that the U.S. was not involved and warned Israel against actions that could escalate the conflict further. Hezbollah’s response to the attack, confirmed its role in the deaths of several members and expressed intentions of retaliation without provoking a full-scale war.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
The incidents drew attention to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s move to use pagers and walkie-talkies aimed to evade Israeli interception, highlighting Hezbollah’s shift in tactics. However, Israel’s effective countermeasure has demonstrated its continued capability to hinder Hezbollah’s operations.
The detonation of these communication devices has impacted Hezbollah both operationally and morally, complicating its propaganda efforts. This situation reflects the broader struggle between Israel and its adversaries, underlining the complex geopolitical landscape where diplomacy and military actions intermingle.
