Israel carried out a covert intelligence operation targeting Hezbollah without prior notification to the Biden administration, according to two U.S. officials cited by Axios. The operation, which involved detonating thousands of pager devices used by Hezbollah members, significantly disrupted the group's military command and control system.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the U.S. was not informed about the operation and had no involvement.

"We are still gathering information," Miller said, though he refrained from explicitly attributing the attack to Israel. Hezbollah, however, accused Israel of responsibility and vowed retaliation.

Following the explosions in Lebanon, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to discuss the situation, as confirmed by officials from both nations. Israeli officials, anticipating potential escalation, have placed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on high alert, preparing for Hezbollah’s possible response.

Axios quoted a knowledgeable source as saying that the operation had been approved earlier in the week during high-level security meetings involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his senior cabinet members, and the heads of Israel's security services. It occurred just a day after U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein visited Israel, warning Netanyahu of the risks of escalating tensions in Lebanon.

Another source with knowledge of the operation stated that Israel aimed to disrupt Hezbollah's operations without sparking a full-scale war, by creating a sense of vulnerability within Hezbollah’s ranks. Israeli intelligence had anticipated that Hezbollah would likely retaliate with a significant attack in response to the operation.