Israel has scored a significant tactical triumph in this operation – the sort of spectacular coup you would read about in a thriller. Undoubtedly it’s a humiliation for Hezbollah, which will increase their insecurity and be bad for their morale.

Israel says that halting Hezbollah’s attacks in the north in order to allow its residents to return is now an official war goal as it considers a wider military operation in Lebanon

For years Hezbollah was seen as the world’s premiere non-state actor: the well-equipped, well-trained, well-led, highly disciplined and secretive jewel in the crown of Iran’s allies across the Middle East.

Israel has yet to comment on the explosions which killed at least nine people. Available now . 23 hours, 57 minutes

Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill

The wave of exploding pagers that injured nearly 3,000 and killed at least nine, including a 9-year-old girl, in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday was a stunning and unexpected blow against Israel’s longtime foe,

Hezbollah vowed on Wednesday to retaliate against Israel after hundreds of paging devices used by the militant group's members exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon.