Mossad chief David Barnea hailed the pagers operation as a "turning point" in Israel's fight against Hezbollah, asserting that the intelligence agency's ingenuity and deep operational planning delivered a significant blow to the militant group.

Speaking at the INSS International Conference in Tel Aviv, Barnea revealed new details about the operation, rejecting claims by former defense minister Yoav Gallant that it should have been launched earlier in the war.

"Launching the operation at the beginning of the war would not have resulted in the powerful battlefield achievement that we achieved at the time of its launch," Barnea said. "Ten times as many beepers were in Hezbollah hands when they were detonated on September 17 than at the beginning of the war, and two times as many walkie-talkies were destroyed.”

In September 2024, an unprecedented operation targeted Hezbollah’s communications network. Thousands of pagers used by the group's operatives across Lebanon suddenly exploded, causing numerous casualties. Just a day later, a second wave of explosions hit Hezbollah’s radio communication devices, with hundreds of walkie-talkies detonating in a similar fashion, resulting in further deaths and injuries.

Barnea credited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for giving the final order to proceed, "in the face of the majority opinion in the room." He argued that the decision proved decisive in shifting momentum against Hezbollah.

The Mossad chief also underscored the broader strategic implications of the operation.

"A clear line can be drawn in the war in the north from the exploding pagers to the elimination of [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah to the ceasefire agreement," he said.

Barnea noted that the operation was years in the making. The first shipment of explosive-laden pagers arrived in Lebanon weeks before the October 7 Hamas attacks, he said, while the walkie-talkie operation had been in development for nearly a decade.

Hezbollah suffered a "severe blow," Barnea claimed, adding that the psychological impact was just as significant as the physical damage.

"Victory in war is not measured by the number of dead or missiles destroyed, but by breaking the enemy’s spirit and morale."

Barnea concluded by lauding the Mossad operatives behind the operation, emphasizing their role in ensuring Israel's security.

"The Mossad does not have tanks or fighter jets—our strength lies in our people, in their creativity and ability to make the impossible possible."